Britain’s second-largest city declares bankruptcy

Sunak ruled out a rescue for the struggling council back in July despite growing concerns over the costs facing local leaders. —AP

London: Birmingham City Council, the largest local authority in Europe, effectively declared bankruptcy after being hit by a crippling bill from an equal pay claim.

The Labour-run administration representing the United Kingdom’s second-largest city issued a so-called 114 notice, putting a stop to all but essential spending and becoming the latest in a string of councils to plunge into financial distress.