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More than 1,000 incidents of asbestos have been discovered in parliament and at least 44 fires have broken out over the past decade, alarming new figures show.
The details of the prevalence of the toxic material in the parliament buildings were released to the Labour peer and former cabinet minister Lord Peter Hain, who has repeatedly warned that parliament faces the possibility of a Notre Dame-style inferno if restoration work is not sped up.
There were four fires in the Palace of Westminster in 2024 alone – and 13 since 2020, though the numbers dropped significantly during the pandemic when the estate was in limited use. In 2016, there were 10 fires.
In further details released to Hain, parliamentary authorities revealed that asbestos materials had been found in 1,057 items to date.
The report said management surveys were continuing to identify and monitor the presence of asbestos-containing materials to address whether they need to be continually monitored, or removed if they are at risk of disturbance.
“Detailed processes are in place to support safe invasive works including support from an asbestos analytical consultant and removal of asbestos-containing materials via a licensed asbestos removal contractor,” the reply to Hain from the deputy Lords speaker, Lord John Gardiner, said.
Hain said it was time to consider a faster programme of works to decant and restore parliament, a decision now unlikely to be taken until the end of the year.
“Along with persistent and regular fire outbreaks – 44 recorded over the last 10 years – which could erupt at any time and burn down parliament, the whole Palace of Westminster is infested with asbestos,” Hain said.
“Over 1,000 cases of such a real and present danger to MPs, peers, staff and visitors have been identified. This iconic world heritage site should be decanted, renewed and restored as soon as possible, as both the Commons and Lords agreed years ago. We are otherwise working in a potential Notre Dame inferno compounded by a potentially lethal asbestosis threat.”
Gardiner confirmed in December that the new plans for the restoration would only be available later this year, which Hain called “another kick of the can further down the road”.
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The proposals are set to include plans for three options: a full decant of the Palace of Westminster, a continued presence in the building for some parliamentarians, or a rolling programme of enhanced maintenance and improvement.
A vote is expected in both houses on the plans when they are finally delivered, with MPs likely to be bitterly divided on whether it is essential to leave the building, the cheapest option.
Options to be considered by MPs are all likely to cost billions. The fastest – which could still take more than a decade – would be for both houses to leave the palace and relocate nearby on a temporary basis, estimated to cost between £7bn and £13bn. The most costly option, a rolling programme of works, is likely to take many decades, potentially up to 70 years.
