Key facts
- Delays to the UK's Houses of Parliament renovation could add £420 million per year to the final bill.
- The National Audit Office (NAO) stated that each year of delay adds between £320 million and £420 million to the program's cost.
- The Palace of Westminster faces issues with deteriorating mechanical and electrical systems, fire safety, and asbestos.
- Parliament spends around £1.5 million weekly on maintenance.
- Proposed restoration options range from a 38-61 year phased project costing up to £39.2 billion to a 19-24 year 'full decant' costing up to £15.6 billion.
Delays in the renovation of the UK's Houses of Parliament could significantly increase the final cost, with the National Audit Office (NAO) forecasting that each year of delay could add between £320 million and £420 million to the overall bill.
The Victorian neo-Gothic edifice, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been slated for restoration for over a decade, but works have yet to commence. Concerns over the project's substantial costs, estimated in the tens of billions of pounds, and the disruption caused by relocating parliamentarians to temporary accommodations have stalled progress.
The NAO highlighted critical issues within the Palace of Westminster, including deteriorating mechanical and electrical systems, fire safety concerns, and the presence of asbestos. Currently, Parliament expends approximately £1.5 million weekly on maintenance.
Several restoration scenarios have been presented to lawmakers. One option involves a phased approach spanning 38 to 61 years, with an estimated cost of up to £39.2 billion. Another, a 'full decant' where both chambers would vacate the Palace for a significant portion of the project, is projected to cost up to £15.6 billion and take 19 to 24 years to complete.
Lawmakers in the House of Commons and House of Lords are expected to make a decision on these options by mid-2030. Additionally, they have been asked to approve initial restoration works estimated at £3 billion over seven years.
In a separate, completed project, the Elizabeth Tower, housing Big Ben, underwent a five-year restoration concluding in 2022 at a cost of £80 million.