Plans for £4billion ‘vanity project’ refurb of Parliament could be axed due to economic slump triggered by coronavirus
- Review to be held into multibillion-pound restoration of Palace of Westminster
- Downing Street said to be concerned about £4billion spend following Covid-19
- Sponsor Body, the group meant to oversee the plans, will carry out the review
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Plans for a multibillion-pound refurbishment of Parliament could be axed due to the economic slump triggered by the coronavirus crisis, according to reports.
A review of the £4billion scheme is set to take place, with Downing Street chiefs said to be concerned about carrying out a ‘vanity project’ with the country’s economy in deep decline due to Covid-19, report The Times.
The work, set to begin in 2025, was approved two years ago by MPs who agreed to invest the cash, with one eye on the spiralling maintenance costs of the 19th centenary building.
According to the National Audit Office, almost £400million has been spent since 2016 on maintaining the palace, which is said to have sewage leaks, asbestos dust and a lack of disabled access.
Plans for a multibillion-pound refurbishment of Parliament could be axed due to the economic slump triggered by the coronavirus crisis, according to reports
And according to a report, by those helping to oversee the work, the building is thought to be a fire risk.
Plans had been put forward in 2017 to move MPs into purpose-built ‘pop-up Parliament’, designed by Norman Foster and built on historic Horse Guards Parade, while ambitious six year maintenance plans were carried out.
However, Sponsor Body, the group meant to oversee the plans, will now carry out a review of the proposals.
Plans had been put forward in 2017 to move MPs into purpose-built ‘pop-up Parliament’, designed by Norman Foster and built on historic Horse Guards Parade, while ambitious six year maintenance plans were carried out
It is reported that the review will centre around whether or not the scheme should still take place ‘given the completely altered political and economic landscape’.
The outcome of the review is expected to be ready by the autumn.
It would be voted on by MPs at the end of 2021, the Times reports.
Sarah Johnson, chief executive of Sponsor Body, which was also responsible for delivering the London Olympics, told The Times: ‘The impact of the health crisis on public finances and parliament’s ways of working has made it even more essential that we review both the strategy for relocating the two houses and the scope of the restoration of the palace.’