Politics · United Kingdom · 3 hrs ago
MPs warned Westminster faces rising fire risk and restoration costs
A parliamentary committee warned that the Palace of Westminster faces a rising risk of a major fire or other disaster if MPs do not address its refurbishment.
The Victorian building, which houses the UK’s Commons and Lords, has leaking roofs, crumbling masonry and outdated electrical systems, with fire patrols operating around the clock.
Maintenance costs about £1.5m a week and could reach £2m, while a recent estimate put restoration at up to £40bn.
Each year of delay is estimated to add £420m to the programme, and decisions have repeatedly stalled over how the work should be done.
MPs have narrowed four refurbishment plans to two, with estimated costs of £15.6bn for a project lasting up to 24 years or £39.2bn for one lasting 38 to 61 years.
The committee wants a plan to engage MPs within six months, alongside clearer cost estimates and temporary accommodation plans.
It says a timetable should support a decision on the main project in 2030, but MPs have not yet chosen an option.
A parliamentary committee warned that the Palace of Westminster faces a rising risk of a major fire or similar disaster without action to fund restoration.
The Commons Public Accounts Committee said maintenance costs could reach £2m a week, while each year of inaction is estimated to add £420m to the restoration programme.
A recent estimate put the restoration cost as high as £40bn and said the work could take up to six decades.
MPs must choose between two restoration plans, with estimated costs of about £15.6bn and £39.2bn.
The committee urged parliament to improve planning, cost estimates and oversight of the project.
- Who
- The Commons Public Accounts Committee warned about the risks. MPs must choose between two restoration plans.
- What
- The committee warned that delays to restoring the Palace of Westminster are increasing fire risks and costs.
- When
- The committee’s report was published on 4 November 2026.
- Where
- The Palace of Westminster in London.
- Why
- Decisions on restoration have been repeatedly delayed amid disagreement over how the work should be done and rising costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Guardian reported the Public Accounts Committee’s warning about fire risks and restoration costs.
The clerks of the Commons and Lords are urged to set out a plan for engaging parliamentarians.
The committee recommends a timetable to help MPs decide on the main restoration project.
- Weekly maintenance cost
- About £1.5m currently, expected to reach £2m
- Cost added by inaction
- An estimated £420m for each year of delay
- Full decant plan
- About £15.6bn; up to 24 years
- Staged decant plan
- About £39.2bn; 38 to 61 years
- Committee chair
- Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown
What people are saying
These are not notional possibilities, but real and rising risks.
imagine the blow suffered by the UK’s morale and reputation of some kind of catastrophic failure
far too complex