Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body Spokesperson ( MP): The Parliamentary Works
Sponsor Body has today deposited a paper in the Library of both
Houses, entitled 'Essential Scheme: Initial Assessment of Cost
and Schedule; and Continued Presence: Impact Study', following
the request of the House of Commons Commission to make available
this information for consideration by both Houses. This has also
been published on the Restoration and Renewal website at https://restorationandrenewal.uk/resources/reports/essential-scheme-initial-assessment-of-cost-and-schedule(opens
in a new tab)
The Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority have been working to the
mandate set out in the resolutions of both Houses in early 2018
and the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act
2019 to prepare a detailed and costed plan, known as the
Programme Business Case, for the works to restore and renew the
Palace of Westminster.
The approach to developing a Programme Business Case, and
objectives for key aspects of the two potential schemes, were
confirmed and agreed with the House Commissions following a
Strategic Review of the Restoration and Renewal Programme in
early 2021. That Programme Business Case was planned to be
presented to both Houses in 2023 and, as part of the normal
process of developing such a Business Case, information has been
regularly shared between the Delivery Authority and Sponsor Body
for review, scrutiny, challenge and guidance.
In recent months, the Sponsor Body and the Delivery Authority
had, for the first time, brought together an initial consolidated
view of a preliminary cost and schedule range for an option known
as the R&R Essential Scheme. This initial assessment reflects
emerging thoughts, approximately half way through the planned
period for developing the Programme Business Case. This does not
represent a formal cost estimate and remains subject to a
considerable amount of further work, which had been planned for
the year ahead.
The deposited paper sets out the Initial Assessment of Cost and
Schedule for the Essential Scheme and also the Continued Presence
Impact Study, which sets out the potential impact on the
Programme, including its cost and schedule, were the House of
Commons to maintain a presence in the Palace during the building
works. The potential cost and schedule ranges include significant
allowances for cost and schedule contingency to allow for the
range of risks inherent in such a complex programme of works, and
to account for the early stage of the analysis. The estimates of
contingency for the schedule and cost were derived following good
practice guidance in the development of business cases.
