Palace of Westminster restoration faces £18.7bn cost and 61-year timeline

The UK Parliament faces a crucial decision regarding the restoration of the Palace of Westminster, following two proposals from the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) committee submitted in February 2026. The Full Decant option suggests temporarily relocating both Houses, potentially saving £10-24 billion and 30 years compared to the Enhanced Maintenance and Improvement Plus (EMI+) option, which only involves moving the House of Lords. On 11 May, Jack Pringle described the choice as a "no-brainer," advocating for swift action. Costs are estimated between £11.5 billion and £18.7 billion, with EMI+ possibly extending to 2086. Taxpayers currently spend £1.5 million weekly on maintenance, and delays incur an annual cost of £70 million. The building, designed by Charles Barry in 1840, faces significant challenges, including inadequate disability access and fire safety issues, prompting Kemi Badenoch to label the project as "out of control."