Restoration and Renewal Programme

03 Apr

Question

The Question session in the House of Commons extensively discussed the engagement and progress of the restoration and renewal programme concerning consultations with Members of Parliament. There was a strong emphasis on ensuring that MPs, particularly those newly elected, are aware and informed about the programme's details and timelines.

Significant Contributions:

Jayne Kirkham raised a critical question about the programme's progress in consulting MPs and Lords, emphasizing the importance of new Members' awareness.
Nick Smith responded with detailed statistics about past and future engagements, highlighting efforts to involve MPs in the decision-making process and ensure they are well-informed about the forthcoming parliamentary restoration options.

500 interactions with MPs over the past two years

Reflects historical engagement efforts to familiarize MPs with the restoration and renewal plans.

Key Issues Addressed:

The engagement efforts with Members, especially new ones, to familiarize them with restoration plans.
The forthcoming decision point where specific options will be presented, necessitating informed choices.

150 interactions in current Parliament, 85 with new Members

Indicates ongoing efforts to integrate the latest cohort of MPs into the restoration consultation process.

Quality and Scrutiny:

Smith's responses were data-driven, providing a clear picture of the engagement efforts, though Kirkham's follow-up stressed a need for more actionable timelines.

New Information:

A commitment to publish detailed options later in the year and the effort to increase the frequency of interactions as major works approach.

Three restoration options to be decided on later this year

Marks a critical decision point where MPs need to be fully briefed and prepared to choose the best path forward.

Outcome

The session successfully communicated the engagement strategy with MPs but highlighted a need for clearer timelines and more robust communication, particularly with new Members. The follow-up actions were outlined to ensure informed decision-making regarding the restoration plans.

Key Contributions

Jayne Kirkham

Labour

Questioned the progress in consulting MPs and Lords, particularly new Members, on the restoration and renewal programme. Emphasized the importance of awareness among newer MPs. Sought details on the extent of these engagements and timelines.

Nick Smith

Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney

Detailed the extensive engagement of around 500 interactions with MPs in the last two years through various channels. Highlighted recent efforts of about 150 interactions in the current Parliament and plans for publishing detailed options. Committed to increasing interactions as the programme progresses to major works.

Original Transcript

Jayne Kirkham

Truro and Falmouth

Lab/Co-op

Question

UIN: 903587

5. What recent progress the client board has made on consulting hon. Members on the restoration and renewal programme.

Nick Smith

Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney

10:26

The restoration and renewal programme has engaged extensively with Members of both Houses. In this House, in the last two years alone there have been about 500 interactions with MPs—for example, through briefings, engagement stands, tours and events.

Given the turnover of MPs at the general election, in January one of our Deputy Speakers, the hon. Member for Bradford South (Judith Cummins), wrote to Members to encourage further one-to-one meetings.

Jayne Kirkham

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. As a new Member, I was very lucky to have a restoration and renewal tour.

My question was more about how many MPs and Lords, since the change in Government, have been able to have a look round and have some information about the plans going ahead, and is there any idea of the timeframe?

Nick Smith

So far there have been about 150 interactions with MPs in this Parliament, including 85 with new Members elected in 2024. Information about the three restoration and renewal options are expected to be published later this year, allowing Members to decide on the preferred way forward.

We want to help Members understand the proposals prior to this important decision point. As the programme moves into the next phase and we get closer to the start of the main works, we must ramp up these interactions so that Members are informed as best as possible.

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