By Salma El-Sakka
The Palace of Westminster, home to the UK Parliament, faces a growing risk of a catastrophic fire similar to the 2019 Notre Dame blaze unless urgent funding decisions are made, a cross-party parliamentary committee has warned.
Mounting Maintenance Costs
The Victorian estate suffers from plumbing failures, leaking roofs, crumbling masonry and outdated electrics, requiring 24-hour fire patrols. Weekly maintenance costs have reached £1.5 million and are projected to hit £2 million without intervention.
Restoration Options and Costs
A full restoration could cost up to £40 billion and take 61 years, according to recent estimates. The committee examined two main proposals: a “full decant” moving both chambers to temporary sites for up to 24 years at £15.6 billion, and a “staged decant” lasting 38 to 61 years at £39.2 billion.
Committee Recommendations
The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, urged action within six months to engage parliamentarians, produce robust cost estimates, and set a 2030 decision timetable. It also called for simpler governance and a new select committee to hold officials accountable.
Temporary Accommodation Concerns
The report questioned high cost estimates for temporary venues, including £417 million to refurbish the QEII Centre and £2 billion for the northern estate. It warned the programme appears shaped around accommodation availability rather than need.
