Burnham revives hopes UK’s crumbling parliament will get a fix

LONDON — MPs are moving toward a vote next month on the first step in a major restoration of Britain’s crumbling Houses of Parliament, after Andy Burnham’s government lent fresh impetus to the long-stalled project. The Palace of Westminster has been in limbo for more than a decade, with MPs, peers and parliamentary authorities in disagreement over the best way to repair the 19th-century building, which is plagued by leaks, fires, asbestos and antiquated plumbing and wiring.

Successive governments have been reluctant to champion renovating parliament amid fears of a public backlash over the enormous cost. The main options on the table for refurbishment have been estimated to cost between £11 billion and £39 billion.

But signs suggest Burnham, who entered Downing Street in July, is sympathetic to calls to speed up the process. Government whips have discussed holding a debate and vote on starting “preparatory works” for restoration in early December, according to three people with knowledge of the plans.