Delays to restoration of parliament criticised

A unilateral decision by parliamentary authorities to rip up plans for the restoration of the Palace of Westminster could result in billions of pounds in extra costs, decades of delay and “extraordinary” health and safety risks, a spending watchdog’s report has warned.

- ANDREW WOODCOCK

The report by the Commons public accounts committee said there was "no justification" for the decision by the Commissions, which run the Houses of Commons and Lords, to abolish a sponsor body set up just three years ago to oversee the massive project and instead seek to do the job themselves. The shock decision in February derailed the sponsor body's plans finally to present a business case for the works in 2023, more than 20 years after the renovation of the crumbling Victorian landmark was first discussed.

It came after criticism from MPs including Jacob Rees-Mogg of the 2019 decision that both Houses should be moved out of the historic building while works take place. The commissions have called for reconsideration of alternative options, despite an earlier study saying that keeping MPs in place could add as much as 48 years and £11bn to the project, currently estimated to cost at least £7-£13bn and last a minimum of 19 years.