Communities Secretary James Brokenshire this week committed an extra £25 million to the planned National Holocaust Memorial in Westminster.
Mr Brokenshire said the extra money would improve the visitor experience and maximise green space on the site, which is to include a learning centre in Victoria Gardens next to Parliament.
Speaking at an event at the Wiener Library, the Communities Secretary said: “I believe there can be no more powerful symbol of our commitment to remembering the men, women and children who were murdered in the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides than by placing the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, in the shadow of our Parliament at the heart of our democracy”.
He added: “Education on the Holocaust and subsequent genocides is one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against prejudice, intolerance and misinformation. Located beside our Parliament, this Memorial will deliver this message, and stand as a permanent reminder that political decisions have far-reaching consequences”.
In a video played at Tuesday’s event, Prime Minister Theresa May called the building of a Holocaust Memorial in Westminster “a sacred, national mission”. She said: “By putting our National Holocaust Memorial and Education Centre next to our Parliament, we make a solemn and eternal promise that Britain will never forget what happened in the Holocaust”.
Prime Minister May was joined by the all the living former Prime Ministers – David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and Sir John Major – in sending messages of support.
In 2015, the Government committed £50 million to the project.
