Prospect calls on Parliament to back full decant for restoration

Responding to the publication of the options for restoration and renewal of Parliament, Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary said:

“Successive governments and parliaments have been kicking the can down the road on restoration and renewal of the estate for years. Meanwhile we have had regular incidences of falling masonry, asbestos, and other serious issues which are only going to become more common and potential result in a serious accident.

“Every report and expert assessment for more than a decade has found that a full decant is the safest and most value for money option. This is the option which parliament should back.

“Putting forward these three options for consideration can be regarded as progress but why after all this deliberation they do not come with a recommendation so that Parliament is fully equipped to make the right decision is beyond me.

“Staff will be looking for a prompt decision to give them certainty that their workplace will finally start to be brought up to the same standards that apply in every other workplace in the country. This is the home of our democracy and should be a paragon of good practice, not a health and safety house of horrors.

“The cost of this project, and the risks from not starting, increase virtually by the day. It’s time parliament had the courage to make the correct decision, every day this decision is ducked is another day where our members are put at risk.”