PM says Parliament could move to York in plans for 'government hub'

York Minster Cathedral from the city walls of York
York Miniser, seen from the walls of the city of York, which the PM says could become a second seat of government. Credit: PA Images

The prime minister has suggested moving both Houses of parliament to York during the refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster. 

In the letter, addressed to the heads of the restoration project, Mr Johnson says “the government is considering establishing a government hub in York and it would therefore make sense to consider this as a potential location.” 

Any move away from Westminster is not expected to take place until 2025 and a review into the project is underway. 

If the government follows through with the idea, York would regain its status as a seat of government, having served as a capital in Roman Britain and Viking England. 

Critics of the scheme have pointed out York lacks a big enough building to house hundreds of parliamentarians. 

York MP Rachel Maskell said earlier this week that York's economy had been badly hit by the pandemic and needed the investment.

The leader of City of York Council Keith Aspden has already to the prime minister backing plans to relocate parts of the government. 

During a Lord debate on the idea earlier this week, Lord Singh of Wimbledon likened York to Outer Mongolia. 

He said: “York is seen as something of an Outer Mongolia by the general public, who view the House of Lords as an outdated institution.” 

Work is expected to continue at the Palace of Westminster for up to six years Credit: Aaron Chown/PA

A recent report by the National Audit Office (NAO) stated that the £4 billion cost previously reported for the restoration of the Palace of Westminster was likely to be a “median” figure, with the final outlay on the Unesco World Heritage Site expected to be higher.

Initial estimates put the final bill as high as £6 billion, with the builders expected to be in until the 2030s.

The body said that a team will assess whether a recommendation made in a report four years ago that all MPs and Lords should leave the Palace of Westminster while the work was carried out is still the “best and most cost-effective” option.

Under the previously agreed plans, MPs are expected to move to Richmond House, the former home of the Department of Health, while the Palace of Westminster – with a floorplate the size of 16 football pitches and containing 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases and three miles of passageways – is being restored.

Parliament authorities spent £369 million maintaining the estate between 2015-19 and have predicted that costs will increase further without significant restorative works, with jobs identified including removing asbestos from 1,000 locations and repairing falling masonry.

The sponsor body is expected to report its findings in the autumn. The NAO called for a tight grip on expenditure for the project in its April report.