Houses of Parliament Refurbishment Options Backed by Client Board

The Restoration and Renewal Client Board has formally supported two costed proposals for the refurbishment of the Houses of Parliament. This endorsement took place in early February 2026 and marks a key procedural step in the ongoing restoration planning.

Dr Simon Thurley, who chairs the Restoration and Renewal Programme’s Delivery Authority, oversees the process of evaluating and managing the refurbishment project. The Delivery Authority is responsible for assessing the feasibility and implications of each proposed option.

The two options presented include a full decant, which would require relocating all parliamentary activities and is estimated to cost up to £15.6 billion over a period of 19 to 24 years. Alternatively, a staged approach has been outlined, with projected costs reaching as high as £39–40 billion over a timeframe of up to 61 years.

According to Dr Thurley, the higher estimate of up to £40 billion for the staged approach did not appear unreasonable to him at the time of his statement. He also stated that current annual maintenance costs for the Palace of Westminster are approximately £150 million.

What the numbers show

• Full decant option: up to £15.6 billion over 19–24 years
• Staged approach: up to £39–40 billion over up to 61 years
• Annual maintenance spending: about £150 million

The Restoration and Renewal Programme aims to address the long-term upkeep and safety of the historic Palace of Westminster. The Client Board’s endorsement of the two proposals provides a framework for further decision-making and planning by relevant authorities.

Ongoing maintenance of the building continues while the refurbishment options are under consideration. The Delivery Authority is tasked with ensuring that any chosen approach aligns with operational and financial requirements set by Parliament.

The next stages of the process will involve further evaluation and planning based on the endorsed options. The Delivery Authority and Client Board will continue to play central roles in guiding the refurbishment project through its subsequent phases.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.