WIREDGOV

Responding to reports that the Prime Minister has asked officials responsible for the restoration and renewal project to consider relocating Parliament to York, FDA National Officer for the House of Commons, Helen Kenny, yesterday said:

“The government should be focussed on efforts to make the existing buildings on the parliamentary estate safe for members and staff, rather than wasting time dreaming up new ways to further delay the restoration project.

“The existing plan for a full decant of both Commons and Lords, previously agreed by MPs, offers the best outcome both in terms of health and safety and value for money, and should get under way without further delay. The restoration and renewal programme must not be derailed by political point scoring.

“It is clear that the health and safety of the thousands of staff who work so hard to keep parliament functioning remains a secondary consideration to party politics.”

Notes for Editors

1. The FDA is the union for senior managers and professionals in public service, representing more than 18,000 members at grades HEO and above. Membership includes senior civil servants, government policy advisors, prosecutors, diplomats, tax professionals, economists, solicitors and other professionals working across the Government and the NHS.
2. The FDA (formerly the First Division Association) should be referred to simply as "The FDA" and can be described as "the senior public servants' union".
3. The FDA can be found on Twitter @FDA_union and at www.fda.org.uk. General Secretary Dave Penman tweets as @FDAGenSec.
4. For more information contact:

• FDA Communications Officer Tommy Newell on 07738 729 145 or tommy@fda.org.uk
• FDA Communications Officer Scott Dobson on 07727 869 640 or scott@fda.org.uk
• FDA Head of Communications Kay Hender on 07980 700 747 or kay@fda.org.uk

HOUSE OF COMMONS