High standards, high costpublished at 13:37
The World at One
BBC Radio 4
Because Parliament was built to such an "extraordinary high standard" the cost of repairing it will be "fantastically high", Michael Cockerill adds.
Summary
A report says restoration of Parliament without moving MPs and peers out would cost £5.7bn and take 32 years
If MP and peers were moved out for six years, the cost would drop to £3.5bn, the report adds
UKIP deputy chairwoman Suzanne Evans is facing the sack after she said party leader Nigel Farage was perceived as "very divisive"
European President Martin Schulz says compromise is needed over EU reform during talks with David Cameron
Subsidies for new onshore wind farms will end on 1 April 2016, a year earlier than expected
London mayor Boris Johnson has been caught on film swearing at a taxi driver
High standards, high costpublished at 13:37
Leaning Tower of Ben?published at 13:34
The World at One
BBC Radio 4Journalist Michael Cockerell, who spent a year filming inside the House of Commons for his four part TV series, says behind the imposing gothic facade Parliament is falling down and in a state of disrepair.
Quote MessageThere are rats, there are mice and there's a real danger that the House, which is actually built in foundations which are lost to history underneath the River Thames, is actually sinking. And Big Ben is becoming slightly like the leaning Tower of Pisa."
Crumbling wallspublished at 13:37 British Summer Time 18 June 2015
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End of twitter postTower Hamlets 'not isolated'published at 13:32 British Summer Time 18 June 2015
BBC assistant political editor tweets...
Moving north?published at 13:28
Image source, PAImage caption, Might Mr Field have been thinking of a site across the River Mersey from his constituency?
In Chris Mason's TV package for the BBC One o'clock news, Labour MP Frank Field says the renovation poses a "mega opportunity... to take power from the south" and temporarily relocate MPs and peers in the north of England.
Quote MessageIt would change the face of Britain as we know it."
Pickles' election fraud concernspublished at 13:25
The World at One
BBC Radio 4Conservative MP Eric Pickles, ex-communities and local government secretary, voices concerns that there may have been fraud during the UK general election and says he'll be taking "a long hard look" at postal voting.
He also said it was David Cameron's decision for him to leave his job after the election. Mr Pickles says the PM had said he had been "an exceptionally good minister" but that it was time to bring in new people, with Mr Pickles noting that he was the "oldest" in the cabinet at the time.
He was removed the from the Department for Communities and Local Government in the PM's reshuffle and made an anti-corruption tsar.
Official responsepublished at 13:20
A statement issued by both Houses of Parliament, in response the report about the options for fixing the buildings, said:
Quote MessageThe restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster will be a major challenge facing Parliament in the coming years and is certain to be a matter of public interest. The process to establish a Joint Committee, which will make recommendations to both Houses on how to proceed, is already under way. It will be for the Joint Committee to decide how best to carry out its task."
A full restoration programme is unlikely to start before 2020, with the Commons and Lords likely to have to vote to decide the favoured option within the next few years.
Parliament upgradespublished at 13:13
By BBC political reporter Alan Soady
Major repairs and upgrades to Parliament could cost an estimated £5.7bn pounds and drag on for up to 40 years unless MPs and peers agree to temporarily move out, a report has concluded.
It suggests the basic work, as well as some extras, could be carried out for an estimated £3.5 billion over a likely duration of six years if both Houses of Parliament agree to move to alternative premises at the same time.
The extras would include a lift up the Elizabeth Tower, housing the clock popularly known as Big Ben, as well as a media centre for TV interviews and "increased breakout, formal and informal meeting areas" for those who work in the Palace of Westminster.
For a slightly higher spend of an estimated £3.9 billion, the full move-out would also enable a new visitor centre, including exhibition, education and conference facilities.
More here .
"Awful" reportpublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 18 June 2015
Parliament repairs reportpublished at 13:03
BreakingTaxpayers face a bill of up to £5.7bn to repair the Palace of Westminster over a period of 32 years unless MPs and peers agree to move out, according to a report by independent consultants.
Greece discussionpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 18 June 2015
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End of twitter postIn quotes: Evans on Faragepublished at 12:53
The Daily PoliticsUKIP deputy chairman Suzanne Evans was asked whether Nigel Farage should lead the Out campaign in the forthcoming EU referendum. She said:
Quote MessageI think Nigel himself has not called to lead the Out campaign. I would advise him to take a significant part in it. I think Nigel is a very divisive character in terms of the way he is perceived. He is not divisive as a person but the way he is perceived in having strong views that divide people. In that sense he is right. I think it will be somebody else who actually fronts it. Fundamentally I don’t see why we need to have any single one person to front it anyway. It would be much better to have a joint leadership campaign on it. Why should one person front it? Why shouldn’t it be Nigel along someone from the Labour Party, the Conservative Party along with someone from business as well?”
Sturgeon condemns wind farm planpublished at 12:49
By BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor
Scotland's First Minister has condemned plans by the UK Government to end subsidies to wind power generation a year early. Nicola Sturgeon said the decision was "wrong headed, perverse and downright outrageous." She said it could remove £3bn of business from Scotland. UK Ministers say it is important to have a balanced energy policy.
Tarnished Blair?published at 12:48 British Summer Time 18 June 2015
Huffington Post executive editor tweets...
Parliamentary repairspublished at 12:47
The Daily PoliticsNigel Evans, the former Commons deputy speaker, is talking about the renovation of the Houses of Parliament. He says he suspects nobody ever wanted to take the "drastic" decisions that now have to be taken over repairs.
The Tory MP says he does not want to move out of Parliament. UKIP's Suzanne Evans says MPs should get out - to somewhere else in London - and let experts fix the problems.
A report on the options for "major restoration", which could cost more than £3bn, will be published at 13:00 BST.
UKIP's troublespublished at 12:43
The Daily Politics
Suzanne Evans, UKIP's deputy chairman, says infighting that followed the election was difficult personally for a number of people in the party. But UKIP is already over it and moving forward, she adds.
Asked about Nigel Farage's comments on health tourism, she says he could have made his point in a more "collegiate way". But the issue is important, she adds.
Ms Evans also confirms she was never actually acting UKIP leader, despite Mr Farage trying to hand the reins to her when he stood down on 8 May. Of course, Mr Farage famously 'unresigned'.
EU debatepublished at 12:43 British Summer Time 18 June 2015
BBC political correspondent tweets...
Sir John Chilcot could face inquirypublished at 12:30
Ross Hawkins
Political correspondent
Image source, PAThe newly elected chair of the foreign affairs select committee has suggested Sir John Chilcot could face an MPs' inquiry into delays to his report
Crispin Blunt told the BBC Sir John...
Quote Message...came to the select committee in February and failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. I’m sure the new committee will wish to pursue this urgently."
Hustings set uppublished at 12:25
The Daily PoliticsThe Independent's Steve Richards says the set up for the televised Labour leadership hustings - with four candidates and a presenter - will create problems for candidates wanting to emerge from the crowd. It would have been better to have some debates with all four, then reduce the number to two closer to vote, he suggests, as the Conservatives did in 2005.
And he predicts we won't see any candidate emerge as prime minister material by the time Labour votes on its next leader.
Greek talkspublished at 12:15
The Daily PoliticsGreece will have a good chance of getting its economy back on track if it leaves the EU, says UKIP's Suzanne Evans. She predicts it will lead to a boost in the country's tourist industry.