Repairs to cracks in the roof of MPs’ Westminster offices have cost £36,000 in five years, it was revealed today.
The glass roof of the atrium in Portcullis House has seen persistent problems since it opened.
Westminster officials are investigating the problems but have admitted they are yet to find a “permanent solution”.
The seven-storey building, which was designed by architects Michael Hopkins and Partners, cost £235 million and was expected to last for 200 years when it opened in 2001.
In 2012, MPs were criticised for spending almost £400,000 to rent 12 fig trees to shade them from the sun in the atrium.
Andy Silvester, campaign manager at the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “After blowing taxpayers’ money on fig trees and water features, the Parliamentary authorities are rubbing salt in the wound with these repair costs. They, and the architects, must come clean about why so much taxpayers’ money is being spent. For £235 million, a functioning roof is the least you’d expect.”
The architects refused to explain why problems persist in the building - which has attracted controversy in the past - citing “confidentiality agreements”.
A House of Commons spokesman said the glass had been reinforced in order to ensure MPs' safety “while a permanent solution is identified”.
The spokesman added: “There is an ongoing investigation to establish the cause of existing damage and to eliminate the risk of future faults. As we are always committed to achieving value for money, the investigation will also identify the most cost effective means of safely removing and replacing the damaged panels, whilst ensuring that any long term maintenance costs are kept to a minimum.”
