Palace of Westminster restoration delays raise cost and safety concerns

Delays to restoring the Palace of Westminster are increasing risks to the parliamentary estate and adding an estimated £420 million to the programme’s lifetime cost for each year of delay, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warned on 4 November, according to AFP. The committee cautioned that a serious failure could disrupt Parliament’s work or cause harm; it did not report that such an event had occurred.

The warning puts fresh pressure on MPs and peers to settle the approach to Restoration and Renewal, the long-running programme to repair the historic site. Parliament first voted in 2018 to move out of the building for extensive work, but disagreement over how to carry it out has continued. Current plans cited by AFP put the start of restoration work in 2032.

What the committee warned about

The Standard reported that the committee also warned of possible injury in Westminster and damage to the building if action is delayed. These are risks identified by the PAC, not reported injuries or damage from a catastrophic event. The estimates of future cost and maintenance spending are projections, while Parliament has yet to choose a restoration route.

Restoration options and the next decisions

The options described in the reports include a full decant, in which both Houses would leave for much of the work. It is projected to cost up to £15.6 billion and take as long as 24 years. A partial decant, called “enhanced maintenance and improvement plus”, would keep some staff on site and is projected to cost up to £39 billion over as much as 61 years. A proposed first phase would be capped at £3 billion and last seven years.

The PAC called for a more detailed schedule for Phase One, including when temporary accommodation would be needed. It also recommended a Restoration and Renewal select committee to scrutinise the programme and more engagement with MPs and peers so they can understand the consequences of their choices. The Standard reported that the Commons and Lords are expected to consider the proposals and narrow the options; no final selection has been reported.

A UK Parliament spokesperson said work is already under way across the estate to protect the safety of people working there and visitors. The spokesperson also pointed to the proposed initial works’ spending cap and said the National Audit Office had previously recognised that approach as sensible. The reports describe parliamentary votes on the programme as forthcoming.