Parliament: New site to cost pounds 12m for each MP
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE NEW Westminster building for MPs and their staff will cost more per user than any other building in Britain, it was claimed yesterday.
An article in the trade magazine Building says that Portcullis House, at the bottom of Whitehall, will cost pounds 1.2m per MP. A breakdown of costs for the pounds 250m project, due to open in spring 2001, found that furniture costs, including English oak tables and chairs, will come to pounds 14,761 per member.
Plants for a restaurant in a covered courtyard will cost pounds 200,000, with fixtures and fittings adding another pounds 500,000. Sandstone columns will cost another pounds 3m, and pounds 600,000 will go on office chairs and blinds and windows will cost pounds 1.2m.
The building is to be clad in blast-proof bronze at a cost of pounds 30m, and the roof will add another pounds 13m. Legal, architectural and engineering fees add pounds 42m, says Building.
The luxury building is designed to provide offices and conference rooms for more than 200 backbenchers and their staff, who cannot be housed in the Palace of Westminster. It has already run into problems after concrete "stitches" built into its sides were found to be too weak.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments