Covering up gentlemens’ urinal in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ office to cost £8,000

Historical significance

A memo has revealed that the bid to cover up a gentlemens’ urinal in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Whitehall office will cost £8,000. The Treasury loo, associated with Winston Churchill, cannot be removed due to its "historic significance."

Planning for the cover-up

The matter has been examined by the building’s architects on behalf of the Treasury and government estate teams. The planning application to hide the Edwardian loo with a cover is estimated to cost around £8,000 and take 18 weeks for a council decision.

Options and considerations

The options explored include extending the current glass panel upwards or creating a cover for the Armitage urinal. These choices would require consent for work around the listed loo from Westminster City Council. Alternatively, frosting over existing glass or installing a non-wall attached cover are immediate solutions being considered.

Unique historical toilet

The urinal is believed to be the sole toilet remaining from the early years of the building, dating back up to 100 years. Chancellor Reeves, the first female Chancellor in history, inherited the role in the aftermath of Labour’s historic win, succeeding Jeremy Hunt. The Treasury has been approached for comment on the matter.