Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Accepted
Public support for Palace restoration high but faces challenges from rising costs.
Recommendation
The Clerk of the House of Commons described how restoration and renewal of the Palace would be a ‘hard sell’ to the public. Prior to the reset of the programme, the Sponsor Body estimated that works would cost between £7 billion to £13 billion if the Palace decanted, lasting between 19 to 28 years; and £22 billion under continued presence, which could take up to 76 years.53 However, witnesses suggested that the public’s support and love for the Palace was high. The Programme SRO described how their public polling showed 75% to 80% support for the building, which the public could separate from their views of government and politics. She suggested they would need to ‘trust the public’ but it is unclear to what extent support will continue as programme costs rise and issues potentially surface.54 We have previously reported that the former Sponsor Body had not engaged sufficiently with the public and other Palace users to understand what they wanted from a modern Parliament building. We recommended that members of the public are properly informed about the Programme and can contribute their views.55
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the need for public engagement and confirms that a comprehensive engagement plan is in place for 2023, including a separate plan specifically addressing external engagement to properly inform the public.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Second bullet – improving Member engagement Improving Member, and wider internal, engagement has been a priority for the new R&R Client Team with new senior resource put in place to manage this aspect of the programme and close collaboration with in-house teams. Since the transfer of accountability for R&R to the Clerks in January 2023, the following engagement activities have taken place: • Domestic Committees and relevant Select Committees in both Houses were engaged on the emerging options in February • Awareness raising stands were held in both Portcullis House and the Palace in March, April and from June to July • House and Members’ staff focus groups, and 1:1 interviews with Members, focusing on the impacts and benefits of the options, were undertaken in May • Engagement with Party Groups is ongoing. In line with commitments made, Members have been communicated with directly following the first meeting of the R&R Client Board, in advance of the motion to appoint the R&R Programme Board and to alert them to the engagement stands. Members were also notified directly of the publication of both the Quarterly Report for R&R and the IAAP report in June. Members will continue to be alerted to key decisions and publications in the future. A Restoration and Renewal information hub is in place on the parliamentary intranet site. A comprehensive engagement plan, agreed by the R&R Programme Board, is also in place for the remainder of 2023 and leading up to the initial vote on a strategic case. The plan seeks to ensure regular internal engagement with Members and other passholders. A separate plan addresses external engagement. At all times Members will be made aware of the level of detail available in this phase of the Programme. Ranges, referencing current figures, will continue to be expressed to help manage expectations.