Palace of Westminster Restoration Faces £40bn Price Tag and 61-Year Timeline
MPs, peers, and senior parliamentary officials are deeply divided over the optimal approach to execute urgently required repairs on the predominantly Victorian Palace of Westminster. A recent report from the restoration and renewal client board has unveiled staggering projections, indicating that the restoration of the crumbling parliamentary estate could escalate to an "eye-watering" £40bn and extend over a period of up to 61 years. Critics have lambasted the project for its lack of clear accountability and governance, raising alarms about the immense financial burden.
Two New Plans Proposed for Parliamentary Decant
Parliamentarians are now tasked with selecting between two newly formulated plans, a reduction from the four previously considered options. The first proposal involves a "full decant," where both the House of Commons and the House of Lords would relocate to the Northern Estate outside the palace, with the Lords moving to the nearby QEII conference centre starting in 2032. This option is estimated to span 19 to 24 years and incur costs of up to £15.6bn.
Alternatively, a "staged decant" would see the House of Lords vacated for 8 to 13 years, while the Commons temporarily occupies the Lords Chamber for up to two years. This more prolonged approach could last between 38 and 61 years, with expenses potentially reaching £39.2bn. Additionally, MPs and peers are being urged to approve initial restoration works valued at £3bn, which include refurbishing the Victoria Tower interior, constructing a Thames jetty for river deliveries, and initiating underground tunnel shafts. These preliminary efforts are slated to commence in 2026 and last seven years, pending approval.
Critical Safety Concerns and Maintenance Challenges
The urgency of the restoration is underscored by severe safety hazards within the Unesco Westminster world heritage site. The Palace of Westminster grapples with antiquated wiring, widespread asbestos, and unstable masonry, all posing risks of catastrophic incidents. Since 2016, the estate has recorded 36 fire incidents, 12 asbestos-related events, and 19 stonemasonry issues. The House of Lords frequently experiences heating failures, sewage system problems, and toilet closures due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
Maintenance costs have skyrocketed, with £1.5m expended weekly on repairs, and the number of maintenance jobs surging by 70% between 2021 and 2024. The restoration board's report emphasizes that the palace's condition has reached a critical juncture, necessitating immediate action to prevent further deterioration.
Accountability and Governance Under Scrutiny
Despite the pressing need for repairs, the project faces intense criticism over its governance structure. Jesse Norman, the shadow speaker of the house and a member of the House of Commons commission, has voiced concerns that key decisions are being made behind closed doors without adequate oversight. He warned that the budget, which he likened to that of HS2 rather than parliamentary upkeep, lacks individual or body accountability.
Norman criticised a proposed three-board oversight framework in a December letter to the restoration board, arguing it could exacerbate bureaucracy, delays, and confusion. He stated, "The costed proposals report is asking parliamentarians to approve eye-watering expenditures on a project with unclear governance, limited scrutiny, and low confidence of effective project or cost management."
As parliamentarians deliberate on the restoration plans, the debate continues over balancing the preservation of this historic landmark with fiscal responsibility and transparent management. The board aims to secure a decision on the final two options by mid-2030, but the path forward remains contentious amid ongoing divisions and safety imperatives.
