Officials Defend £3 Billion Phase One Plan to Repair Palace of Westminster

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 10, 2026

Officials proposed a £3 billion initial phase for the long-delayed restoration of the Palace of Westminster, detailing cost breakdowns and urging approval before year-end to avoid escalating expenses. The project, with total costs potentially reaching £39 billion and work not starting until at least 2032, aims to preserve the historic site but faces scrutiny over budget justification and timeline risks.

Officials involved in the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster defended a proposed £3 billion first phase of work during a recent session of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee. The project, aimed at repairing the historic seat of the UK Parliament, has been under consideration for more than 14 years, with total costs estimated to eventually reach as high as £39 billion and work not scheduled to begin until at least 2032.

At the committee hearing, Charlotte Simmonds, managing director of the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) client team and senior responsible officer for the project, alongside Russ MacMillan, chief executive of the R&R delivery authority, outlined preliminary cost breakdowns and projected timelines. They stressed the urgency of approving the initial phase before the end of the year, warning that delays would significantly increase future expenses.

Simmonds detailed some of the cost components behind the £3 billion figure, including £320 million allocated for design work, £90 million for surveys, £70 million for construction of a temporary jetty on the River Thames, and £328 million related to the storage of heritage assets such as paintings and other historic materials. Clearing scaffolding and obstructions along the palace’s central spine road alone was estimated to cost approximately £30 million. Approval of this first phase would secure planning permission, a process expected to take around one year.

The committee, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, a chartered surveyor and Conservative member representing North Cotswolds, questioned the rationale behind the costs and whether they could be justified. Members raised concerns about the apparent vagueness in some justifications and a perceived potential for the budget to expand over time. Labour members Catherine McKinnell and Sarah Hall expressed skepticism regarding cost supervision and the potential for budget elasticity, prompting reassurances from the officials about the use of independent experts and consultants to manage and monitor expenditure.

Officials defended the phase one proposal as a pragmatic necessary starting point that would provide momentum for the broader programme. They cautioned that failing to proceed could jeopardize the project’s viability and result in escalating costs, arguing that this initial investment was crucial for advancing restoration efforts on the crumbling infrastructure of the Palace of Westminster.

The committee appeared broadly cautious but recognized the complexities involved in balancing historic preservation with urgent infrastructure needs. Decisions on whether to approve the proposed budget for phase one of the Palace’s repairs are expected later this year, with government officials emphasizing the importance of timely action to secure the building’s future.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.