Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster

On 5 Februrary, 2026 the UK Parliament published the report "Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals

• 2026: Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals published.
• 2023: A new two-tier governance structure (Client Board and Program Board) was established, with the Programme Board meeting for the first time in February 2023.
• 2022: Review completed and restructuring announced to replace the initial sponsor governing body.
• 2020: National Audit Office reports and Public Accounts Committee review project.
• 2019: The Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019 received Royal Assent.
• 2018: Major restoration of the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben).
• 2017: Parliament decides in principle to proceed with a full restoration.
• 2016: Joint Committee report recommended a full decant
• 2015: Independent Options Appraisal published.
• 2013: Initial establishment of the programme.
• 1990-1994: Restoration of the Victoria Tower, the tallest tower in the Palace.
• 1982 - 1990: Stone cleaning and restoration of north, west, south and River fronts.
• 1981-1982: Major stone cleaning and restoration programme starts with New Palace Yard.
• 1941–1950: Rebuilding of the Commons Chamber following destruction in the Blitz.
• 1849 - Defects in the choice of stone became apparent, experiments with various compositions on stone
• 1847 - The Lord's Chamber completed
• 1840–1870: Construction of the current Palace by Charles Barry after the 1834 fire. Only Westminster Hall, the Undercroft Chapel, the Cloisters and Chapter House of St Stephen's and the Jewel Tower survived.
• 1834 - The Great Fire destroys most of Palace
  

The Palace of Westminster was almost completely destroyed by the 'tally-stack' fire of 16 October.

1847 - The Lord's Chamber completed

1849 - Defects in the choice of stone became apparent
Barry experiments with various compositions on the stone

1852 - The Common's Chamber completed
... and Charles Barry was knighted

1859 - Big Ben installed in the Clock Tower

1860 - Victoria Tower completed

1870 - The rebuilding of the Palace completed

1883 - Electric lighting installed in the House of Lords

1912 - Electric lighting installed in the House of Commons

1920 - A large fragment of stone fell from the Victoria Tower

1936 - Restoration work of Victoria Tower
Scaffolding was erected around the Victoria Tower so that restoration work could begin. This was halted during the Second World War

1940-1 - Both Houses of Parliament sometimes sat in Church House in Westminster Abbey
This was due to fear of wartime bombing raids

11 May 1941 - The Commons Chamber destroyed on the last day of the Blitz
The Commons consequently met in the Lords Chamber until 1950 while the Lords met in the Robing Room

1943 - Architect appointed for rebuild of chamber
The Commons decided that its new chamber should be designed on similar lines to the old. The architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott was appointed to undertake the work.

1948 - Foundation stone of new Commons Chamber laid

1950 - The new Commons Chamber first used on 26 October

1950s - Work on the exterior of the Victoria Tower finally completed

1951 - The House of Lords returns to its Chamber on 29 May

1971 - Working group set up to offer advice on restoration
Pollution was again taking its toll

1981 - A major restoration programme begun over several phases

1990-4 - Victoria Tower restored

2000 - Portcullis House completed
A new Parliamentary building was completed