Parliament risks 'catastrophic event' without urgent renovation, MPs warn
The committee says a competitive-dialogue process could give Parliament clearer cost and timetable estimates for the multibillion-pound project.
- On Wednesday, the Public Accounts Committee warned the Palace faces a 'catastrophic event' without urgent restoration, urging Parliament to adopt a 'competitive dialogue' procurement approach.
- Maintenance costs for the parliamentary estate will rise to £2 million weekly, while inaction risks 'managed decline'; Parliament must choose between a full decant costing up to £15.6 billion or a phased program costing up to £39.2 billion.
- The PAC questioned estimates of £417 million for refurbishing the Centre and around £2 billion for the Commons Building Infrastructure Portfolio as 'very high,' while Phase One works capped at £3 billion remain partially uncosted.
- Approving the initial £3 billion package could commit Parliament to the entire multibillion-pound program, which Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the PAC, warned would be 'extremely difficult and costly' to abandon; each year of delay adds £420 million to lifetime costs.
- Parliament faces a final decision by 2030 and must narrow four restoration options to two, with Sir Geoffrey urging lawmakers to avoid further delays, noting 'each kick of the can down the road costs hundreds of millions.
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Sky News UK
Great Yorkshire RadioParliament risks 'catastrophic event' without urgent renovation, MPs warn
The Public Accounts Committee warned that a Notre-Dame-style fire was among the "real and rising risks" of continued delays to a restoration programme.
Houses of Parliament could face 'Notre Dame-style fire' as renovation costs skyrocket
The Palace of Westminster risks a "Notre Dame-style fire" if MPs fail to address the need for urgent refurbishments, a parliamentary committee has warned. According to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), The King could be plunged into darkness during the Houses of Parliament’s grand state opening in future if delays to a costly renovation programme are not resolved. The group says the risk of a "catastrophic event" that causes injury in Westmin…
MPs urge consideration of procurement methods for parliament refurb
MPs have urged Parliament to consider a procurement process that would allow contractors to develop rival proposals for the multibillion-pound restoration of the Palace of Westminster. The public accounts committee (PAC) said a competitive-dialogue approach could help bring greater certainty over the cost and timetable…
Evening Standard
The Independent (US)Parliament risks managed decline without ‘best case scenario’ renovation: MPs
MPs first voted to leave Parliament for the building to undergo extensive repairs in 2018, but there has been continued disagreement about the move.
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