Parliament hit by 1,000 sightings of rats and other vermin in last three years, stats show
PARLIAMENT has been hit by more than a thousand reports of rats and other vermin over the past three years, grim stats reveal.
The Commons’ pest control team was called 541 times last year - dwarfing the 412 incidents in 2022 and 227 in 2021.
A dedicated expert is based on the Estate to tackle any nuisance rodents that infest the Gothic Palace of Westminster.
The figures were revealed in an answer to a parliamentary question by Lib Dem MP Sarah Olney.
They also laid bare the litany of on-site issues MPs have to battle in their day jobs - including dodgy toilets.
Since 2021 there have been 11,182 plumbing problems reported across Parliament, 5,211 of which were last year.
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And in the same period there have been 2,002 mechanical incidents relating to lifts across the Estate.
Lib Dem Treasury spokesperson Ms Olney said: “With the number of leaks from this conservative government, people often say they smell a rat in Parliament. Now we know it's literally true.
“The Palace of Westminster is the heart of British democracy, and it is crucial that action is taken to ensure it remains a safe place to work as quickly as possible.”
A Parliamentary spokesperson said: "Parliament is a safe place to work, with robust hygiene processes in place.
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"We are committed to maintaining a humane and ethical pest control programme, focussed on preventative measures and, where necessary, the use of various control methods.
"Value for money remains a key consideration and we will, as ever, continue to follow all legislative and regulatory obligations.”