Restoration and renewal of Parliament

Public Accounts Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 26 Jan 2022 Closed: 2 Sep 2022 Parliament page
Over a year ago the Committee reported that every week of delayed repairs to crumbling Parliament was costing the taxpayer another £2 million . The Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Programme, widely endorsed as a necessity to preserve a historically and politically significant building, is at a critical stage: … Read more
11 Recommendations
29 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
4 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
2 Sep
2022
Report published
6 Jul
2022
Correspondence
29 Jun
2022
Report published
24 May
2022
Correspondence
11 May
2022
Oral evidence
25 Apr
2022
Correspondence
30 Mar
2022
Correspondence
14 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
11 May 2022
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Restoration and renewal of Parliament recall; DfE recall
David Goldstone CBE · Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority Dr John Benger · House of Commons Indra Morris · Children’s Services, Communications & Strategy Group Sarah Johnson · Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Sponsor Body Simon Burton · House of Lords Stephanie Brivio · Department for Education Susan Acland-Hood · The Department for Education
14 Mar 2022
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Restoration and renewal of Parliament
David Goldstone · HM Treasury Dr John Benger · House of Commons Sarah Johnson · Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Sponsor Body Simon Burton · House of Lords
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Tenth Report - Restoration and Renewal of Parliament HC 49 29 Jun 2022 40 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
22 results
Clear
4 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
The Commissions have asked for further options to be explored but is unclear how the...
The Commissions have asked for further options to be explored but is unclear how the higher costs, greater duration and added risks, including extraordinary health and safety risks, of a continued presence during the building works can be managed. The … Read more
Government Response
The Clerks agreed with the recommendation to set out the threshold of risk they are willing to accept, stating that risk management processes are already in place, and the Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority accepted the recommendation to progress the intrusive surveys, stating that they are on track to start in July 2022.
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5 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
To date, there has been a failure of transparency and accountability over work to restore...
To date, there has been a failure of transparency and accountability over work to restore and renew the Palace. This includes: the House administrations being three months late sharing, in line with expected standards, information on a recent asbestos incident … Read more
Government Response
The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree with the Committee’s recommendation to ensure transparency over the Programme, stating that the revised safety escalation protocols were implemented on 6 April 2022 and will be reviewed. They have reviewed and updated the existing safety escalation arrangements, implemented improved protocols, delivered training to key staff, and scheduled further reviews.
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7 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
The Clerk of the House told us that every year the restoration and renewal of...
The Clerk of the House told us that every year the restoration and renewal of the Palace is delayed adds risk and cost such as through nugatory spending.18 In 2014, an independent assessment found delays to the decision may add … Read more
Government Response
The Accounting Officers agree with the committee's finding, stating that processes are already in place within Parliament and the R&R bodies to avoid nugatory spend and ensure value for money, with the Sponsor Body committed to ongoing scrutiny of costs.
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9 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
In May 2022, the Clerk of the House of Commons told us that this period...
In May 2022, the Clerk of the House of Commons told us that this period of uncertainty was “highly corrosive and damaging” for retaining the vital expertise needed to develop the Programme.24 This echoed the Delivery Authority’s comments to us … Read more
Government Response
The Clerks commit to implementing the recommendation by ensuring the Delivery Authority remains in place, assessing capability gaps within the sponsor function by the end of summer recess, developing TUPE proposals to retain staff, and establishing a skilled Programme Board as part of a new governance structure by the end of the year.
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12 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
The Commissions intend to put indicative resolutions based on this report to Members and Peers...
The Commissions intend to put indicative resolutions based on this report to Members and Peers before the summer 2022 recess. The Clerk of the House explained that formalising the Commissions’ proposal would require the Leader of the House of Commons … Read more
Government Response
The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments commit to implement this recommendation, where it is within their powers to do so, aiming to meet the Commissions’ timeframe for drafting the necessary regulations in autumn 2022.
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13 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
The Sponsor Body told us it has not estimated the costs associated with dissolving itself,...
The Sponsor Body told us it has not estimated the costs associated with dissolving itself, which will depend on what the changes to the governance arrangements and proposed work look like. Depending on their grade, its staff have notice periods … Read more
Government Response
The Accounting Officers agree with the Committee’s recommendation. There are already processes in place within Parliament, the Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority to avoid nugatory spend when making investment decisions.
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16 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
The Clerk of the House of Commons explained that the technical capacity needed to take...
The Clerk of the House of Commons explained that the technical capacity needed to take on the Sponsor Body’s role was well beyond anything within the House administrations’ in-house resource. He suggested there will need to be a professional client … Read more
Government Response
The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments commit to ensuring the new Client Team has the right skills and expertise, assessing capability and capacity gaps within the sponsor function, and applying TUPE legislation to mitigate the risk of losing staff.
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17 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
In terms of the Clerks’ role, Members of both Houses value their expertise in terms...
In terms of the Clerks’ role, Members of both Houses value their expertise in terms of procedural knowledge, but they may not have the requisite skills to oversee the delivery function (the Delivery Authority) in a complex programme with multiple … Read more
Government Response
The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments commit to implement this recommendation, and the Delivery Authority will remain in place and independent. An interim CEO will assess capability and capacity gaps within the sponsor function.
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18 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
We questioned the Clerk of the House of Commons on the House administration’s performance managing...
We questioned the Clerk of the House of Commons on the House administration’s performance managing similar programmes. The expected cost of the Elizabeth Tower refurbishment has roughly tripled, from £29 million set out in the outline business case in 2016 … Read more
Government Response
The Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority accept the recommendation, stating that intrusive surveys are planned to commence in July 2022 and continue over several years. These surveys aim to provide crucial structural and asbestos information to inform future decisions on the Restoration and Renewal programme scope and delivery.
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19 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
We also questioned the House administrations’ protocols on how they to responded to safety incidents...
We also questioned the House administrations’ protocols on how they to responded to safety incidents during works.46 On 19 November 2021, contractors working in the Speaker’s private apartments identified a release of asbestos between 23 October and 27 October 2021.47 … Read more
Government Response
The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree with the Committee’s recommendation, noting that the revised safety escalation protocols were implemented on 6 April 2022 and will be reviewed in October 2022, with annual reviews thereafter.
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20 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
The Clerk of the House of Commons explained the House administrations stood down all works...
The Clerk of the House of Commons explained the House administrations stood down all works on the parliamentary estate on 9 February, in part to check whether the right protocols were in place and understood by the relevant staff.50 He … Read more
Government Response
The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree with the Committee’s conclusion, stating that the revised safety escalation protocols were implemented on 6 April 2022 and will be reviewed. They have reviewed and updated the existing safety escalation arrangements, implemented improved protocols, delivered training to key staff, and scheduled further reviews.
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21 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
The incident was formally reported to the Health and Safety Executive on 10 February 2022,...
The incident was formally reported to the Health and Safety Executive on 10 February 2022, with relevant trade unions informed on 15 February. The Clerk of the House of Commons acknowledged that the staff affected should have been contacted with … Read more
Government Response
The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree with the Committee’s recommendation, and the revised safety escalation protocols were implemented on 6 April 2022 with a further review scheduled for October 2022 to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
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24 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
The Clerk of the House told us that he expected the Infrastructure and Projects Authority...
The Clerk of the House told us that he expected the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) to assure the arrangements but recognised that the IPA had no formal role over the Programme.60 Following our March evidence session, the Clerk clarified … Read more
Government Response
The Clerks broadly agree with the committee's observations and commit to ensuring future Independent Advice and Assurance Panels will continue to consist of independent experts, and that their outcomes will be published subject to Commission agreement.
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25 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
When we reported on this Programme in October 2020, we found the Sponsor Body had...
When we reported on this Programme in October 2020, we found the Sponsor Body had not engaged sufficiently with Members, Peers, Officials, and staff to clarify how it would reconcile the range of individual views within Parliament. While the Sponsor … Read more
Government Response
The Clerks agree with the committee, proposing a new two-tier governance structure for the R&R Programme by the end of the calendar year, which aims to develop a single set of objectives and requirements by engaging the parliamentary community and providing oversight through Programme and Client Boards.
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27 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
On 18 March, the Commissions issued a joint statement setting out nine parameters to guide...
On 18 March, the Commissions issued a joint statement setting out nine parameters to guide forthcoming decisions. This included considering further options to undertake work without decanting and looking at doing work over a shorter period. The statement reaffirmed the … Read more
Government Response
The Sponsor Body CEO and the Delivery Authority CEO accept this recommendation, stating that plans for commencing intrusive surveys are on track to start in July 2022. These surveys will provide the Delivery Authority with key structural and ground condition information as well as adding to the existing records of asbestos.
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30 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
Until February 2022, the Sponsor Body was preparing a business case based on Parliament fully...
Until February 2022, the Sponsor Body was preparing a business case based on Parliament fully moving out of the Palace during the works (known as a ‘full decant’). In December 2020, the House of Commons Commission agreed to ask the … Read more
Government Response
The Sponsor Body CEO and the Delivery Authority CEO accept this recommendation, stating that plans for commencing intrusive surveys are on track to start in July 2022. These surveys will provide the Delivery Authority with key structural and ground condition information as well as adding to the existing records of asbestos.
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31 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
The Sponsor Body returned to the Commissions with its initial analysis on the impact of...
The Sponsor Body returned to the Commissions with its initial analysis on the impact of a continued presence in January 2022.82 In the initial analysis, the Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority assumed that the Commons Chamber, alongside other functions requested … Read more
Government Response
The Sponsor Body CEO and the Delivery Authority CEO accept the recommendation to progress the intrusive surveys during the summer to determine what the asbestos removal plan should be, including whether it is safe to remain in the Palace whilst these works take place, and this is already being implemented, with plans for commencing intrusive surveys on track to start in July 2022.
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32 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
In March 2022, the Delivery Authority explained to us that initial analysis showed that, although...
In March 2022, the Delivery Authority explained to us that initial analysis showed that, although technically possible, continued presence would lead to higher costs and 74 C&AG’s Report, para 3.24 75 C&AG’s Report, Figure 12 and para 3.27 76 C&AG’s … Read more
Government Response
The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree with the Committee’s recommendation regarding risk thresholds, stating that risk management processes are already in place. The Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority accepted the recommendation to progress the intrusive surveys, stating that they are on track to start in July 2022.
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34 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
In our May evidence session we asked the Delivery Authority whether, given its earlier analysis...
In our May evidence session we asked the Delivery Authority whether, given its earlier analysis of continued presence options, it was comfortable developing these current options. The Delivery Authority told us that it had agreed a task brief to respond … Read more
Government Response
The Sponsor Body CEO and the Delivery Authority CEO accept the recommendation to progress the intrusive surveys during the summer to determine what the asbestos removal plan should be, including whether it is safe to remain in the Palace whilst these works take place, and this is already being implemented, with plans for commencing intrusive surveys on track to start in July 2022.
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37 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
Furthermore, the Commission has not yet set out its reason for suggesting the abolition of...
Furthermore, the Commission has not yet set out its reason for suggesting the abolition of the Sponsor Body.99 The Sponsor Body had set out indicative cost and time estimates for the work, and then heard about plans to abolish it … Read more
Government Response
The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree to set out the threshold of risk they are willing to accept during the works. The Sponsor Body CEO and the Delivery Authority CEO accept the recommendation to progress the intrusive surveys during the summer to determine the asbestos removal plan.
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39 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
We reiterated that significant developments with the Programme should be fully in the public domain...
We reiterated that significant developments with the Programme should be fully in the public domain and received a commitment from the Clerk of the House, that the House will always be told when there is a significant development with the … Read more
Government Response
The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree with the Committee’s recommendation, stating that the revised safety escalation protocols were implemented on 6 April 2022 and will be reviewed. They have reviewed and updated the existing safety escalation arrangements, implemented improved protocols, delivered training to key staff, and scheduled further reviews.
HM Treasury
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40 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Restoration and Ren…
Following the House administrations being three months late sharing information about a recent asbestos incident,...
Following the House administrations being three months late sharing information about a recent asbestos incident, the Clerk of the House acknowledged staff should have been notified earlier.108 We heard relevant trade union representatives were informed on 15 February, five days … Read more
Government Response
The Clerks agree with the Committee’s recommendation, having implemented revised safety escalation protocols on 6 April 2022 and scheduled a review of their effectiveness for October 2022 with annual reviews thereafter.
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Government Response AI assessment · 40 of 11 classified
Accepted 22
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 12
Deferred 4
Not Addressed 1
Total 11 recs + 29 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
6 Jul 2022 Correspondence from the House of Commons, House of Lords, Restoration & Renewal Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Tenth report Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster from Session 2022-23
Parliament page
24 May 2022 Joint Correspondence from Simon Burton, Clerk of the Parliaments, House of Lords and Dr John Benger, Clerk of the House, House of Commons, re Further information following the oral evidence session, Restoration and Renewal: Progress Update, held on Wednesday 11 May 2022, dated 20 May 2022
Parliament page
25 Apr 2022 Public Accounts Committee—follow-up update on the Restoration and Renewal Programme, March 2022
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30 Mar 2022 Correspondence from Dr John Benger, Clerk of the House of Commons Palace of Westminster, re Further information following the oral evidence session: Restoration and Renewal, held on Monday 14 March 2022, dated 29 March 2022
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