Why is this work necessary?

The Palace of Westminster, built 150 years ago at the start of Queen Victoria’s reign, stands as the home of our democracy and a symbol of the United Kingdom recognised by millions worldwide.

The Palace of Westminster is vast and complex, covering 34 acres and with 1,100 rooms. There are over 14 miles of pipework and roughly 250 miles of cabling across the Palace, connecting its water, electric, sewage, and gas systems—many of which have reached the end of their lifespan. There are 65 different floor levels and over 100 staircases, and only 12% of the Palace has step-free access. 

While both House administrations are actively engaged in ongoing maintenance to ensure safety on the estate, a more comprehensive restoration programme is essential. The Programme will address the ageing infrastructure, asbestos, deteriorating masonry, and outdated mechanical, electrical, and other critical systems.

Restoring and renewing the Palace will directly benefit the one million people who visit every year and the thousands who work here every day including MPs and Peers, by delivering a greatly improved building, with better accessibility, more reliable services and enhanced health and safety.

Keeping the Palace Running

Maintenance costs £1.45m a week, and while the House administrations work tirelessly to keep the building safe and operational, costs and the backlog of work can be expected to rise as essential services continue to age. 

There is a potential risk of fire, flood, or falling stones, and there are 2,500 known locations of asbestos in the Palace.