£7bn bill to fix westminster

Cost will be less if MPs move out

The taxpayer faces a bill of up to £7.1 billion to stop the Palace of Westminster falling down unless MPs and peers agree to move out.

A study by independent consultants has highlighted the appalling state of Parliament, with major fire risks and the threat of roof collapses.

It proposes a series of options, from politicians staying in the famous building to a “full decant” that would see both chambers emptied and moved to temporary accommodation.

If MPs and peers remain, the necessary work will take an estimated 32 years and could cost £5.7 billion – with the possibility the figure could hit £7.1 billion.

A mid-option would see MPs and peers vacate the chambers in turn, at a cost of around £4.4 billion. Fully leaving the heritage site while it is renovated into a building with mod cons would take six years and cost around £3.9 billion.

A joint committee of MPs and peers will now be formed to consider the choices. The report points out that there have only been ad hoc works on the building over the past six decades.

As a result, the mechanical and electrical infrastructure is “no longer fit for purpose”, and the risk of a “catastrophic failure is increasing”.

Recent examples of issues include a burst pipe flooding the Committee Room Corridor, part of the ceiling in the Lords Chamber falling on to the benches below, and fears over asbestos.

The paper says “fundamental renovation can no longer be avoided” to protect the palace and provide safe and “decent accommodation” for around 2,000 people who work on the site.

If MPs and peers stay in the building and the bare minimum of renovation is carried out around them, costs will be significantly higher.

Picture: PA. A workman at the Houses of Parliament where it could cost £7.1 billion to make the Palace of Westminster structurally safe.