Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019

Key Points

• Establishes a Sponsor Body to manage the Restoration and Renewal programme and oversee procurement.
• Adds requirements on procurement, including reporting on contracts, contractor size and where contractors operate, and consideration of corporate social responsibility and the historic significance of the building.
• Emphasises widening economic and public-benefit effects beyond London, and promotes public engagement, remote access to Parliament's educational facilities, and education for schoolchildren.
• Adds a policy focus on public understanding of the programme and participatory democracy, including views of staff and the public in decision-making.
• Contains amendments to protect the Palace’s historic fabric and World Heritage Site status, and to improve transparency around planned works and governance; many further proposed amendments on timelines and maintenance were not moved.
• Reflects debates about scope and pace of works, regional benefits, public access and accountability, with several ambitious provisions proposed but not all adopted.

Progress

The bill completed its passage and received Royal Assent on 8 October 2019, becoming law. It progressed through all standard stages in both Houses, with amendments agreed at Committee and Report stages.

Voting

Two amendments at Report Stage were approved in June 2019, indicating cross-party support for stronger public engagement and regional benefits, while Conservative MPs largely opposed these changes. The official party positions show Labour, SNP, Lib Dem, Plaid Cymru and others supporting the amendments, with Conservatives and some others opposing.