Government introduces bill to tackle Palace of Westminster fire risk
The Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster reaches a major milestone with the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill.
Efforts to protect the Palace of Westminster from a catastrophic event like the recent Notre Dame fire reach a major milestone today with the introduction of the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill.
The bill means the governance structure, approved by MPs and peers in 2018, will draw on the best practice of the 2012 London Olympics by establishing:
- a Sponsor Body - made up of parliamentary and external members, which acts as the client on behalf of Parliament and will oversee the delivery of the works
- a Delivery Authority - equipped with the expertise to keep costs down and manage a project of this complexity
A number of financial safeguards are written into the bill, given it is imperative that Parliament keeps total costs down.
- an Estimates Commission, with cross-party involvement, will be established to scrutinise the Sponsor Body’s spending plans
- the Estimates Commission will be required to consult the Treasury and take into account any advice it gives
- the National Audit Office will undertake regular audits and value-for-money reviews
The Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP, Leader of the House of Commons, said:
Events like the terrible fire at Notre Dame bring home to us sharply the importance of preserving our historic buildings. The Palace of Westminster, recognised the world over as a symbol of democracy, must be restored for future generations.
This bill ensures the vital work needed to protect its future will happen in the most efficient way - with the expertise we need, proper structures in place, and making sure we deliver the best possible value for taxpayers’ money. I have always championed the need for Parliament to get on with this vital work, and am proud to introduce this bill.
The Rt Hon Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Leader of the House of Lords, said:
This bill is an important step in the restoration and renewal of the Palace. It will establish a Sponsor Board, independent of Parliament, with the expertise to prepare the detailed business case for R&R and create the Delivery Authority to carry out the works. Both bodies will be subject to financial accountability and Parliamentary oversight. It is imperative that we make progress and protect the Palace of Westminster for future generations.
Interim measures, including 24/7 fire safety patrols, are already in place to protect the historic Palace and ensures it remains compliant with existing fire safety laws. The risks, however, are very great, of a catastrophic failure within the building, and so progress to carrying out the urgent mechanical and engineering work is vital.
At the same time, preparatory work has been undertaken by the shadow Sponsor Board, established in June 2018, including the development of plans for temporary chambers for use during the period of the works.
The bill will require the Sponsor Body to secure parliamentary approval for the design, cost and timing of the works. MPs and Peers will move out of the Palace in the mid-2020s.
Notes to editors
- The Commons passed a motion backing action to safeguard the Palace of Westminster on 31 January 2018. An identical motion was passed by the Lords on 6 February 2018.
- A shadow Sponsor Body was established in June 2018 to undertake preparatory works.
- The government published a draft version of the present bill on 18 October 2018. A Joint Committee of MPs and Peers scrutinised the draft bill and completed its final report on 21 March 2019. The government response to the Joint Committee’s report was published on 7 May 2018.
- At the same time Parliament has been preparing its Northern Estate Programme, the essential first step that will enable the broader Restoration and Renewal Programme by providing space for MPs’ offices - and a temporary chamber for the House of Commons.
- For media queries relating to the Restoration and Renewal Programme or the Northern Estate Programme, please contact the R&R Programme press office on 02072198716.
- For media queries relating to the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill, please contact Alex Stevenson on 07712410865 or alex.stevenson@cabinetoffice.gov.uk