Tory no-go bill is £2bn
TORIES refusing to leave the Palace of Westminster will increase the cost of repairs by £2billion.
MPs and Lords have been set to agree to move to other buildings as the work is urgent, with fears of a major fire risk at Parliament.
But a source close to the refurbishment committee said the Tory backbenchers are plotting to stay while the renovation goes ahead.
“They are only staying for prestige and tradition,” said the source. “But the Government is minded not to move out to keep these backbenchers happy.”
The r efurbishment committee costed repair work at £ 3.52billion if Parliament is vacated and said it could take six years.
If MPs stay while work carries on round them, the cost is put at £5.67billion and repairs would take between 25 and 40 years.