Outdated Building Drains Taxpayers' Money
Members of Parliament (MPs) are costing taxpayers £20,000 a day in energy bills due to the inefficiency of the Houses of Parliament. The crumbling 163-year-old Palace of Westminster, with its draughty windows, doors, brickwork, and roof space, is notoriously difficult to heat. As a result, the Parliamentary Estate spent £7.1 million on gas and electricity bills last year.
Eye-Watering Energy Costs
In the 2022/23 fiscal year, the Palace of Westminster racked up an electricity bill of £5.88 million and spent an additional £1.19 million on gas. This staggering total is £4.4 million more than the combined energy bills for all seven occupied Royal residences, including Buckingham Palace. Despite this, Parliament pays only half as much for energy compared to the average UK household.
MPs Insulated from Rising Energy Prices
While MPs enjoy the luxury of a subsidized energy deal, their constituents face skyrocketing energy prices. Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, highlighted the disparity: "MPs and the public are both suffering in cold and damp buildings. But while politicians in parliament are insulated from the soaring price of energy, constituents face bills at record levels, leaving many unable to heat their homes or put enough food on the table this winter."
Decades of Debates without Solutions
MPs have been discussing the necessary repairs for the Parliamentary Estates for years, as the electricity and water supplies urgently need upgrading. The building's plug sockets are known to buzz and spark, and staff often rely on plug-in heaters that strain the electrical system. Reports of falling masonry and leaking waste pipes further highlight the dire state of the infrastructure.
The Price of Preservation
Repairing the Unesco world heritage site could cost up to £13 billion and would require MPs to vacate the premises for 20 years. In 2015, sheep wool was stuffed into the Westminster roof to address the excessive energy wastage. However, the building's current energy efficiency score of 121 falls significantly below the typical score of 100 for UK public buildings.
Challenges in Heating the Historic Building
A spokesman for the Parliamentary Estate explained the difficulties faced in heating the building: "Parliament operates on a modified heating season that depends on weather conditions. If the weather is unseasonably warm, heating is delayed, and if it is unseasonably cold, heating is switched on earlier. The heating season generally runs from mid-September to mid-April. These measures are necessary due to the thermal mass of the building, the large number of hard-to-heat spaces, and the fabric-related issues."
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