Brent Council have pledged not to charge residents to collect their bins despite a government minister giving them the green light to do so today.

Brent & Kilburn Times: David Laws is encouraging councils to charge fo bin collectionsDavid Laws is encouraging councils to charge fo bin collections (Image: Department for Education)

David Laws said that local authorities should be encouraged to charge for services such as bin collections even if it is “painful” for residents.

The education minister said allows councils to become less dependant on government funding.

Cllr Roxanne Mashari, lead member for environment and neighbourhoods, has slammed the Liberal Democrat politician claiming he is out of touch.

The Labour councillor for the Welsh Harp ward, said: “We have no plans to charge residents for refuse bin collections.

“The Liberal Democrats are once again showing how detached they are from people in Brent and across the country struggling with the cost of living crisis.

“If the Liberal Democrats want to be helpful they could start by coming to terms with the fact that they are choking local authorities, increasing poverty and killing off vital services.

“Suggestions like the one from David Laws today are neither helpful or in touch with the reality of ordinary people.”

According to Brent Council they face a further cut in government funding amounting to £53million over the next two years.