Houses of Parliament at risk of ‘Notre Dame-style fire’ as renovation costs rise

A parliamentary committee has warned that delays to restoring the Palace of Westminster leave it at growing risk of a major fire or other disaster, while pushing up the cost of repairs. It says MPs must make decisions on funding and the project’s direction to protect the Grade I-listed, Unesco world heritage site and avoid further damage to the UK’s reputation.

Maintenance currently costs about £1.5m a week and could soon reach £2m, with outdated electrics requiring round-the-clock fire patrols; each year of delay is estimated to add £420m to the programme. Two restoration options remain: a full decant lasting up to 24 years at about £15.6bn, or a staged decant lasting 38 to 61 years at about £39.2bn. The committee recommends clearer cost estimates, a timetable for a decision by 2030, plans for temporary accommodation and simpler oversight.