BIRMINGHAM City Council was today brought under central government control.

Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove told MPs that he was sending in commissioners to run the council in England’s second biggest city, which announced earlier this month that it could not balance its budget.

The commissioners will oversee a so-called recovery plan likely to include a sale of council assets and job cuts. 

Mr Gove blamed years of years of mismanagement and also announced an inquiry into how the council got into its present position.

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “Birmingham has experienced some of the most severe cuts of the last 13 years.

“Local authorities across the country are struggling and after 13 years he can’t possibly say it is all their fault.”

Unison head of local government Mike Short also blamed 13 years of Tory austerity which had "hit councils of all political persuasions hard. 

He said: “Much of that blame must lie at the government’s door.

“Unions must be involved in any discussions about the council’s future activities.

“Minimising the impact of any cuts on the people of Birmingham and protecting jobs must be top priorities.”