By Ahmed Abdelsalam
More asbestos has been discovered in the UK Parliament, increasing pressure on MPs to approve a major refurbishment of the crumbling Palace of Westminster. The BBC has learned that known asbestos items across the parliamentary estate now exceed 1,650, a rise of 500 since 2021.
Asbestos tally rises
The additional asbestos was identified during surveys conducted in preparation for the long-awaited restoration project. Items include insulation, roofing, floor tiles and ropes. While 700 items have been removed over the past five years, the total number has still increased. Under Health and Safety Executive guidelines, most are classified as low risk in concealed areas, but nearly 200 are rated medium risk and may require remedial work.
Committee warns of 'crunch time'
The Commons Public Accounts Committee this week declared it "crunch time" for Parliament's restoration, warning that every year of delay costs taxpayers £420 million. The government is considering holding a vote before the end of the year on a refurbishment programme that could cost up to £40 billion and take up to 61 years. The vote would authorise up to £3 billion of initial works and narrow down four options ahead of a final decision by 2030.
Health concerns and personal stories
Kris Gledhill, son of former Labour MP Alice Mahon who died of malignant mesothelioma in 2022, told the BBC that asbestos should never be considered low risk. He urged a precautionary approach accounting for deterioration, extreme weather, and disturbance during renovation. Dr Hannah Moody, chief executive of Mesothelioma UK, backed a national asbestos register and phased removal from public buildings, noting that asbestos remains present in many UK buildings despite a 1999 ban.
Fire risk and refurbishment options
Committee chair Geoffrey Clifton-Brown warned that a small fire could engulf the building, with 24-hour fire patrols already in place. He compared the potential devastation to the Notre Dame blaze and criticised a "political allergy" to tackling the refurbishment. Two leading options involve either a full decant of both Houses for up to 24 years from 2032 at a cost of £15.6 billion, or moving only the House of Lords out for 61 years at £39 billion. The committee says MPs and peers have enough information to vote on a way forward this year.
