A union which represents people working in the UK Parliament has spoken out on their behalf. The GMB claims the Palace of Westminster is an unsafe workplace. And it would like the site to close fully during building works. Crucially, the union wants Parliament to use an alternative location within London, rather than going elsewhere in the country.

The GMB was reacting to questions in Parliament on 15 January over the Restoration and Renewal Programme for the Palace of Westminster.

The trade union represents hundreds of staff working at the Palace. These include 300 MPs, MPs’ and peers’ staff, cooks, cleaners, bar staff, and waiters. It has long called for works to take place to mitigate risks including fire, asbestos exposure, and falling masonry.

Houses of Parliament ‘not fit for purpose’

A survey of GMB members working directly for the Houses of Parliament found that 87 per cent of staff feel that the estate is not fit for purpose.

GMB is in favour of “a full decant of Parliament” for reasons of time and cost, as well as the health and safety of workers on the estate. Trying to retain some of the functions of Parliament while builders work round could add decades to the project.

The union has argued in favour of relocating to a site in London to protect the livelihoods of current workers, who live in or near the capital. Previously, there had been calls to relocate Parliament to the north of England.

Dan Anderson, GMB Regional Organiser, said:

The Palace of Westminster is a symbol of British history and values, and we want to see it restored so it can continue to serve as the seat of our democracy for generations.

It is also a workplace, and we want to ensure that the restoration is carried out with the best interests of its workers in mind.

GMB believes that this project requires a full decant to a replacement site in London to best protect workers’ livelihoods, and ensure their health and safety is not put at risk.

Josh Dean MP, member of Parliament for Hertford and Stortford, said:

The current state of the Palace of Westminster exposes those who work there to risks that would not be acceptable in any other workplace.

We cannot put off the work to repair the building any longer and we must ensure the welfare of Parliament’s workers is taken into careful consideration.

A full decant would keep those workers safe and enable a faster restoration of the Palace to its former glory.

Featured image via the Canary

By The Canary

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