More asbestos has been found in the Palace of Westminster, sparking urgent calls for Parliament to act on a long-delayed refurbishment. The discovery highlights growing concerns about public safety and the building’s structural integrity. Source: bbc.co.uk.
Asbestos Discovery in Parliament
Over 1,650 asbestos-containing items have been identified across the Palace of Westminster and the wider parliamentary estate. This is a 500-item increase since 2021. Items include insulation, roofing, floor tiles, and ropes — materials common in older buildings, many installed before the 1980s.
Classification and Risk Levels
Most asbestos items are classified as low risk when concealed, meaning they are unlikely to be disturbed. Nearly 200 items are medium risk, indicating a potential for fibre release if damaged during renovations, maintenance, or extreme weather.
Why the Refurbishment Is Under Pressure
The Commons Public Accounts Committee has called the situation ‘crunch time’. Without action, public spending will keep rising.
Fire Risks and Structural Vulnerability
MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said a small fire could spread rapidly. He stated: ‘If a small fire broke out in the building, the whole lot would go up.’ Such a blaze could cause ‘Notre Dame-like’ flames, endangering lives and historic structures.
24-hour fire patrols are in place. But the building’s design and materials increase fire risk, especially during renovation work that disturbs insulation and other flammable materials.
Personal Concerns and Health Impacts
Kris Gledhill, son of former Labour MP Alice Mahon who died in 2022 of malignant mesothelioma — a cancer linked to asbestos — said asbestos should not be treated as low risk. He urged a precautionary approach, including risks from fire, floods, and renovation work.
Alice Mahon identified two workplaces where she may have been exposed, one of which was the Palace of Westminster. His remarks show real health risks faced by workers and call for better safety measures.
What the Committee Recommends
The committee says MPs and peers must decide on a refurbishment path by the end of the year. The vote will narrow four current options before a final decision by 2030.
Proposed Options
- Move MPs and peers out of the site for up to 24 years starting in 2032, at a cost of up to £15.6bn.
- Move only the House of Lords out, costing £39bn and taking 61 years.
- Explore a hybrid model with partial relocation and targeted upgrades to reduce asbestos exposure.
- Implement temporary facilities in nearby government buildings, such as the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.
Key Challenges in the Process
Major setbacks include an overcomplex decision-making process, delays in securing a temporary home for the House of Lords, and a lack of clear timelines or accountability.
The government owns the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. Yet, no firm plan has been made to use it as a temporary home.
Expert Response on Asbestos Management
Dr Hannah Moody, chief executive of Mesothelioma UK, supports a national asbestos register and phased removal from public buildings. She said: ‘Although asbestos was banned in 1999, it remains in many public buildings and causes serious illness and deaths.’
She urges all renovation workers to receive health and safety training to manage exposure risks.
What This Means for the Future
Parliament says its top priority is staff and visitor safety. Plans include better monitoring, new training, and more asbestos removal.
Officials admit a fully asbestos-free building is not practical without demolition or major structural damage — a solution that would harm the building’s heritage.
Government whips have discussed holding a debate and vote by year’s end. No date has been set. This marks a turning point in a project long delayed by political hesitation and technical complexity.
For now, the focus is on balancing heritage, safety, financial responsibility, and worker health.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: A split picture showing the Palace of Westminster shown against blue sky on the left, with multicoloured messy cables on the right.. Via original publisher. Image source
