𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Renovations of the Palace of Westminster could cost taxpayers as much as £1,136 if MPs refuse to vacate the building while work takes place. The dilapidated parliament has not undergone significant building work since the aftermath of the Second World War, with areas of the historic building in dire need of repair.

Renovation is due to take place in the coming years but the duration and cost of the work is dependent on whether or not the Victorian building is vacated while the project is undertaken. Under proposals handed to MPs and peers on Thursday, a “full decant” from Westminster would take between 19 and 24 years and cost up to £15.6 billion, including inflation. However, should MPs and peers decide to remain in the building the project could last 61 years at a cost of up to £39.2 billion.

In that instance, the cost per taxpayer for the renovation would be £1,136, which would fall to £450 if the building was vacated.

It is understood that politicians have been asked to approve an initial seven-year phase of works which would be taken before any decision has been made on the long-term project.

This alone is estimated to cost taxpayers £100 each.

A report on the state of the building found that more than 14 miles of pipework and roughly 250 miles of cabling and services had been layered on top of one another over decades.

It also listed more than 50 safety incidents involving fire, stonemasonry and asbestos.

MPs and staff have raised safety fears about the building, with areas having fallen into disrepair. 

One parliamentary source told the Daily Express that exposed pipework is not uncommon around the offices of MPs whilst leaking pipes and blocked toilets are a familiar source of frustration.

Trade unions have called on MPs to vacate the building whilst building work is undertaken to reduce the timeline of disruption and the cost to the taxpayer.

Mike Clancy, the union’s general secretary, said: “Successive governments and parliaments have been kicking the can down the road on restoration and renewal of the estate for years.

“Meanwhile we have had regular incidences of falling masonry, asbestos and other serious issues which are only going to become more common and potentially result in a serious accident. 

“Every report and expert assessment for more than a decade has found that a full decant is the safest and most value-for-money option. This is the option which parliament should back.”