Birmingham City Council, run by a Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent coalition, is seeking a court injunction to ban Union Jack and St George's flags being hung on lampposts, with court documents estimating the removal operation would cost £2.6 million. The move follows the "Operation Raise the Colours" campaign, which saw around 20,000 flags put up across the city as a display of national pride, and comes amid the authority's status as Britain's most indebted local council. The plan has reignited controversy after the council previously faced backlash for removing British flags while leaving Palestine flags in place, citing safety concerns.

The council says removing each flag would cost roughly £132, totalling £2.64 million, and that the operation would need police support and be carried out at night for safety reasons. If granted, the injunction would make erecting flags without permission near roads punishable by an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison. Birmingham City Council, which declared effective bankruptcy via a section 114 notice in September 2023 and carries over £3.5 billion in debt, says staff removing flags have faced harassment and intimidation, and argues the injunction is a "proportionate" response to a safety risk; the campaign's co-founder, Ryan Bridge, is named in the legal action along with seven others.