Houses of Parliament at risk of ‘Notre Dame-style fire’ as renovation costs rise

Decisions about how and when to begin a full restoration of the Grade I-listed and Unesco world heritage site have been repeatedly delayed amid disagreement over the approach and spiralling costs. The maintenance bill is already about £1.5m a week and is expected to reach £2m soon.

The cross-party committee said urgent action was needed to avoid the risk of a major fire or similar disaster, and to control increasing costs. Every year of inaction adds an estimated £420m to the restoration programme.

Political delays

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the Conservative MP who chairs the PAC, described a "political allergy" to making decisions about the renovation. He warned MPs should "imagine the blow suffered by the UK's morale and reputation of some kind of catastrophic failure".

Building problems

The Victorian estate faces numerous issues barely kept in check by ongoing maintenance, including regular plumbing failures, leaking roofs, and crumbling masonry protected by scaffolding. There's also a persistent fire risk mainly from outdated electrics, requiring 24-hour fire patrols.

Renovation options

Four proposals have been narrowed to two. A "full decant" would involve staff moving to other buildings, with the Commons in Richmond House and the Lords to the QEII conference centre. This project would last up to 24 years and cost about £15.6bn.

A "staged decant" would last 38-61 years, with the Commons moving to the Lords chamber temporarily. That project would cost about £39.2bn. The committee expressed concerns about the high costs of temporary accommodation, noting Canada managed to install a temporary chamber for much less.

Next steps

The PAC recommended that clerks of the Commons and Lords should set out a plan to properly engage parliamentarians within six months. It also called for more robust cost estimates, a timetable to help decide on the main project in 2030, and a new restoration select committee.

A parliament spokesperson said the report "provides welcome scrutiny" and noted that work is already happening across the parliamentary estate to ensure safety. The committee stressed that without action, the Palace of Westminster will face "managed decline".