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The BBC has uncovered that the amount of asbestos identified within the Palace of Westminster and the wider parliamentary estate has increased significantly. There are now over 1,650 known asbestos-containing items, including insulation, roofing materials, floor tiles, and ropes. This represents an additional 500 items discovered since 2021, intensifying concerns as MPs face pressure to approve a comprehensive refurbishment of the aging UK Parliament building.
This refurbishment project has been under consideration for some time, with potential costs estimated at up to £40 billion and a projected timeline extending over 61 years. The Commons Public Accounts Committee recently emphasized the urgency of moving forward, warning that every year of delay adds £420 million in costs to taxpayers. Authorities have reported that the discovery of more asbestos came as a result of detailed surveys conducted in preparation for the long-anticipated renovation effort.
Asbestos is a key driver for the restoration, given the well-documented health risks associated with airborne asbestos fibers. Although asbestos has fire-resistant properties, exposure to heat or fire can cause fibers to travel significant distances, creating serious health hazards. Despite efforts to remove some asbestos—approximately 700 items have been taken out over the past five years—the overall number of known asbestos materials has nonetheless risen. According to the Freedom of Information request obtained by the BBC, much of the asbestos in Parliament is considered low risk because it is hidden in areas unlikely to be disturbed, but nearly 200 items are classed as medium risk, which may require action.
A spokesperson for UK Parliament reiterated that “the absolute priority is the safety of those who work on and visit the parliamentary estate,” highlighting ongoing asbestos monitoring initiatives, awareness training, and plans for further removal where possible. Kris Gledhill, whose mother, former Labour MP Alice Mahon, passed away in 2022 from malignant mesothelioma—a cancer linked to asbestos exposure—warned against considering any asbestos as low risk. He argued for a precautionary approach, taking into account deterioration of buildings over time as well as the risks from extreme weather, floods, fires, and potential disturbances during renovation. “Alice was well aware of the risks relating to asbestos and mesothelioma,” Gledhill said, noting that she had identified two workplaces where she may have been exposed, one of which was the Palace of Westminster.
In response, Commons authorities explained that completely asbestos-free conditions are practically unachievable without demolishing or severely damaging the historic building. Dr. Hannah Moody, chief executive of Mesothelioma UK, a charity focused on raising awareness of asbestos-related diseases, supports the introduction of a national asbestos register and advocates for the gradual removal of asbestos in public buildings. She pointed out that although asbestos was banned in 1999, it remains in many public structures throughout the UK and continues to result in serious illnesses and occupational fatalities, including mesothelioma. Dr. Moody emphasized the importance of providing workers with appropriate health and safety guidance to manage these risks effectively
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