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MPs warn Parliament risks a 'Notre Dame-style fire' while every year of delay adds £420m to the restoration bill

The two leading restoration options range from a full decant costing £15.6bn to a partial scheme reaching £39bn over six decades.
The two leading restoration options range from a full decant costing £15.6bn to a partial scheme reaching £39bn over six decades.

The Public Accounts Committee published a report on Wednesday warning that the Palace of Westminster faces a catastrophic fire or structural failure unless MPs act urgently on its long-delayed renovation. Maintenance costs are already running at £1.5m a week and are expected to hit £2m, with an estimated total restoration bill of up to £40bn over six decades. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the Conservative MP who chairs the PAC, said the risks are "not notional possibilities" and warned of a "political allergy" to making decisions.

Every year the renovation vote is delayed adds £420m to costs — the delay to 2026 alone has already wasted up to £290m of public money.

The PAC also warned the King could be plunged into darkness during the State Opening of Parliament if the crumbling electrical systems are not fixed.

MPs first voted to vacate Parliament for repairs in 2018 — eight years later, they have yet to agree on how to proceed.

MoreEvening StandardParliament risks managed decline without ‘best case scenario’ renovation: MPsGB NewsHouses of Parliament could face Notre Dame-style fire as renovation costs skyrocketThe GuardianHouses of Parliament at risk of ‘Notre Dame-style fire’ as renovation costs risethetimes.comParliament ‘risks Notre Dame-style fire without £16bn restoration’ - The TimesUK ParliamentCrunch time for Parliament refurb as PAC warns of consequences of further delay - UK Parliament
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