Restoration of Westminster Palace: Costs up to £40 billion and duration up to 61 years

London – 16.06.2026: The comprehensive restoration of Westminster Palace, the workplace of the UK Parliament, is facing a major challenge. A recent report from the National Audit Office (NAO) states that refurbishment costs could reach up to £40 billion and span up to 61 years. This estimate is based on two different restoration options currently being discussed.

The first option, called “Full Decant,” foresees that both the House of Commons and House of Lords will vacate the building for the entire duration of the renovation. This solution is expected to take between 19 and 24 years and cost up to £15.6 billion. This would allow the work to be focused and carried out more efficiently.

The second option, known as “Enhanced Maintenance and Improvement+” (EMI+), involves partial refurbishment while some areas of Parliament continue operating during construction. This option lasts from 38 to 61 years and is estimated to cost up to £39.2 billion. The advantage is that Parliament can maintain its activities, but the longer construction period significantly increases total costs.

Regardless of the chosen option, the report proposes an initial phase lasting up to 7 years with a budget of around £3 billion. Work in this phase includes building temporary meeting rooms and offices, repairs at Victoria Tower, as well as preparatory preservation at the medieval Cloister Court.

The NAO report emphasizes the urgency of the restoration as the building faces serious structural issues. These include outdated mechanical and electrical systems, fire hazards, and high levels of asbestos exposure. Currently, £1.5 million is being spent each week on maintenance and repairs without addressing fundamental problems.

The decision on the preferred restoration option is expected to be made within the next few years. A final choice is anticipated before mid-2030. This decision will have a significant impact on the future condition of the Parliament building and how the restoration work is implemented.

The restoration of Westminster Palace is not only an engineering project but also a political challenge. Critics are calling for increased transparency and accountability in the use of public funds given the large costs and lengthy timeline. At the same time, prolonged delays could cause costs to continue rising further.

The process and outcomes of this restoration project will profoundly affect British politics and public trust in major government construction projects. The demands of heritage preservation and the need to meet modern safety standards must be carefully balanced.