British parliament buildings in danger from leaks, eats, and asbestos

The order comes as MPs face being evicted for five years while the buildings undergo a £3billion makeover.

The Grade One-listed building requires extensive repair work amid warnings it is suffering from chronic subsidence, electrical problems, fire risks, plumbing leaks, rats and is full of asbestos. The worst problems are linked to subsidence, caused by decades of Tube trains rattling past its foundations, that has caused Big Ben to tilt 18ins off the vertical.

A 2012 study showed that unless significant restoration work is undertaken, major, irreversible damage may be done. On Thursday MPs will be presented with the options for the repair work. One would relocate MPs to a replica chamber.