The Queen approved the plans for a new Parliament building in 2022.
The Queen has approved plans for a new Parliament building to replace the current one, which was destroyed in an explosion on June 13th. The announcement comes after many months of discussion about what to do with the current site, which is being cleaned up and decontaminated. The announcement means that work will soon begin on a new building, which will be completed by 2027.
What is happening with the current site?
After the June 13th explosion at Westminster Palace and subsequent fire, it was decided that it would be best to decontaminate and demolish what remained of the Palace. This process began in early 2021 and has been ongoing ever since. As well as cleaning up any chemicals left behind from the blast, workers have also been removing asbestos from Westminster Palace, as this substance has been linked to cancer.
Why do we need a new Parliament building?
The old Palace was built in 1852 and is no longer fit for purpose. There are not enough rooms for MPs or peers to meet together comfortably, nor are there enough offices for everyone who works there. MPs have complained that they often have nowhere quiet or private to talk with their constituents or prepare speeches.
