Calls for clarity on Parliament refurb as PAC lays out key health and safety concerns
23 November 2023
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today publishes correspondence on the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) of the Palace of Westminster from Committee Chair Dame Meg Hillier MP to senior Parliamentary officials. The letter lays out the PAC’s key concerns on the direction of the project, following evidence received to its R&R inquiry in October.
- Letter from the Chair of the Committee to senior Parliamentary officials, 17 November 2023
- Inquiry: Restoration and Renewal Recall
- Public Accounts Committee
The correspondence urges the House authorities to demonstrate, not only that the programme is being run efficiently and progressing at a reasonable pace, but what the benefits of the programme will be and why it represents value for money for taxpayers.
The PAC warned in May that a real and rising risk exists that the Palace will be destroyed by a catastrophic event before it is restored. The letter notes that the prospect of works beginning in earnest remains distant, with a lack of clarity on whether staff, MPs and peers will be moved into temporary accommodation or remain in place while works are carried out.
The Committee is concerned that a “continued presence” option is still on the table for a Parliamentary vote to decide, despite this risking even higher costs, taking far longer, and being dangerous to security, health and safety. Further, the Committee’s letter notes that there is a consensus of professional opinion that this option is unrealistic. It also remains unclear whether the “continued presence” option, or a “do minimum” option of enhanced maintenance, would be lawful or comply with House authorities’ legal health and safety obligations.
The correspondence also raises concerns around the adequacy of measures to ensure the safety and security of all staff, visitors and members on the Parliamentary Estate, and calls for further information on the extent of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) and asbestos onsite. The PAC’s inquiry heard that 17 areas on the Estate might have RAAC, and that a full picture on this should be known by 2024.
The letter expresses surprise at levels of bonuses for the leadership of the R&R Delivery Authority given the slow pace of the programme, and calls for a more detailed explanation of the rationale for its award in the interests of transparency.
Further information
Image: UK Parliament / Tyler Allicock