Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the total cost was of the new security arrangements at carriage gates; how many tenders were received for those works; and what the sign-off procedure was.

The total cost of the New Palace Yard works is expected to be £62million and includes security works, significant ground-work and heritage works. Of this, the main construction works contracts were worth £42.6million.

The main works contract was tendered as a two-stage tender, under the Southern Construction Framework. BAM were awarded the main construction works contract for each of the two stages.

Three competitive tenders were received for the first stage and the second stage of the tender was a direct award to the contractor successful at the first stage (BAM) as set out in the first stage tender documents. Evaluation was conducted in accordance with procurement regulations.

The tender award report for the second stage was prepared by the Commercial Lead and approved by the Director of Procurement, the Managing Director of Strategic Estates, HOC Finance Director and Clerk of the House, and the HOL Director of Finance, Director of Estates and Facilities and the Clerk of the Parliaments, in accordance with Parliament’s Finance Regulations, during the period June to July 2022.

The updated Business Case for the New Palace Yard works was also considered by the Commons Finance Committee in February 2023, prior to Accounting Officer approval to award BAM the contract for the second stage.

A briefing note on the New Palace Yard project was published by the Finance Committee in December 2025.