MPs to get say on Palace of Westminster revamp in January

How to carry out the proposed £6bn revamp of the Palace of Westminster will finally be discussed by MPs early next year.

The debate on 11 January will come more than two years after a report, commissioned by both Houses of Parliament, was published looking at options for carrying out urgent renovation works with costs ranging from £4bn to £6bn and taking up to 30 years to complete.

Last year a joint committee of MPs and peers representing both Houses recommended a full move-out of MPs and peers lasting six years.

In March this year, MPs on the public accounts committee endorsed the joint committee’s recommendation for a full six-year decant, agreeing it was “the most economical, effective and efficient choice” but also criticised the delay by Parliament in getting on with the restoration of the crumbling grade I-listed palace.

The government has said possible options include a full move-out, a partial move out, which would see one House vacate the building at a time, or retaining some presence in the palace, and using nearby Westminster Hall for the duration of the works.

M&E repair work is already being carried out as part of the revamp of the Palace of Westminster to ensure it remains safe for use beyond 2020.

A detailed exploration of the condition of the building is also being undertaken, while strategies for building-wide security, asbestos removal, and fire safety improvements are being made.

These works will ensure Parliament is ready to commission design work once both Houses have made a decision over the length of time work will be carried out.

Work will be carried out by architect BDP and a team led by CH2M, which includes consultant Currie & Brown, after the firms won the two client advisory roles to provide architectural and building design services and programme, project and cost management services over the summer.