Recommendation 20

Most recently, in July 2020, the Prime Minister wrote to the Sponsor Body and the Delivery Authority to suggest that they consider York as a potential location for Parliament while the Programme is undertaken as the government was considering establishing a government hub in the city. In response, the Sponsor Body sought the views of the Speakers of both Houses, who expressed the view that they “do not consider it would be appropriate or advisable for the strategic review to consider an alternative location for Parliament outside London within its terms of reference.” The Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority subsequently communicated this to the Prime Minister.46 The Act sets out the roles and responsibilities of the Sponsor Body, the Delivery Authority, the Estimates Committee, and Parliament.47 The Act is clear is that the Sponsor Body reports to Parliament rather than government which the Sponsor Body confirmed during the evidence session.48