The Clerk of the House of Commons, Tom Goldsmith, believes that a full evacuation would be more effective than trying to conduct repairs while people continue to work in the building. He warns that if they choose the "continued presence" option (where some people remain while repairs are ongoing), it could become so disruptive that everyone might need to leave mid-project, leading to more unplanned problems.
There are two main options being considered:
- A complete evacuation, which is estimated to take 19-28 years and cost between £7 billion and £13 billion.
- The "continued presence" option, which could extend the repair timeline to 76 years and cost up to £22 billion.
Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the committee overseeing the issue, highlighted that a report in 2022 suggested the need to vacate the premises for 12-20 years for repairs. Details on the expected cost and the timeline for the refurbishment project will be published in November. MPs will also be provided with preliminary information on potential relocation sites, including the possibility of the House of Lords moving to the QEII Centre and the House of Commons relocating to the Northern Estate.
The news underscores the challenge faced by successive governments in making decisions about the refurbishment, with concerns about public reaction and the potential risks posed by the aging infrastructure.