Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster

The Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster’s report, Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster, was published on 8 September 2016.

The Committee concluded that “there is a clear and pressing need to tackle the work required to the Palace of Westminster and to do so in a comprehensive and strategic manner to prevent catastrophic failure in the next decade. We have also concluded that, in principle, a full decant of the Palace of Westminster presents the best option under which to deliver this work”.

The Committee published a recommended text of a motion on which its report should be debated.  The motion called for its report to be agreed.  It would trigger the next stages in the process of the Restoration and Renewal Programme, including the establishment of a Sponsor Board and Delivery Authority by legislation (and shadow bodies, in the meantime); and authorise the development of a fully costed business case for a full decant of the Palace of Westminster, subject to approval by both Houses.

The House has not yet debated the Committee’s report.

Further information

The Palace of Westminster R&R Programme is to publish A high level review of the proposal suggested by Anthony Delarue Associates in their letter to Sir Edward Leigh MP of 3rd November 2016. The document is available on this page under ‘Supporting documents’.

The document reviews and critiques proposals received by Sir Edward Leigh, which outlined how both Houses could remain on site during the restoration and renewal of the Palace.

The document also includes a copy of the letter that Sir Edward Leigh received.

Since the Committee reported, questions have been raised about the proposals to decant the Palace of Westminster; and the Treasury Committee has announced an inquiry into the value for money of the proposals.