Parliament has enacted the Holocaust Memorial Act 2026, granting the Secretary of State explicit authority to deliver a national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. The Act received Royal Assent on 22 January 2026 and removes a historic legal barrier to building in Victoria Tower Gardens next to Parliament, according to the government’s statement. (gov.uk)
The statute authorises expenditure for or in connection with constructing a memorial and a co‑located learning centre “on, over or under” land, with supporting and associated works included in scope. It also covers subsequent use, operation, maintenance and improvement of the facilities. For these purposes, construction is defined to include erection, extension, alteration and re‑erection.
On funding, the House of Commons Library confirms the measure empowers the government to use public funds to build, operate and improve the memorial and learning centre. The Act itself does not set a cash limit; appropriations will be determined through future Supply legislation and programme decisions. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)
On land status, the Act disapplies section 8 of the London County Council (Improvements) Act 1900 in relation to the land described in that section, removing the restriction that had prevented development in Victoria Tower Gardens. Both Parliament’s bill updates and the government’s Royal Assent notice identify Victoria Tower Gardens as the affected site adjacent to the Palace of Westminster. (parliament.uk)
Planning remains a live process. The government has stated the existing application is current and that a new decision will be taken by a designated minister who is separated from the project team to ensure impartial decision‑making. This statutory change does not itself grant consent. (gov.uk)
The Act extends to England and Wales only. It comes into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with 22 January 2026, meaning commencement falls on 22 March 2026. The short title is the Holocaust Memorial Act 2026.
For delivery teams, the two‑month window to commencement allows mobilisation of governance, procurement and enabling activity once consents are in place. During House of Lords committee scrutiny, members examined matters such as security, environmental considerations and interaction with any works to the Palace of Westminster-areas that will inform implementation planning. (parliament.uk)
For residents and heritage groups, the change is tightly targeted. The House of Commons Library notes that planning consent is still required; the disapplication removes a single statutory obstacle rather than altering wider heritage or open‑space controls. The forthcoming ministerial decision will consider those factors through the planning framework. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)
On scope, the spending power extends beyond construction to ongoing operation, maintenance and improvement, allowing the responsible department to plan for running costs and future upgrades. Budget setting and any third‑party contributions will be handled through standard government spending processes outside the Act.
In practical terms, organisations engaging with the scheme should work to the 22 March 2026 commencement while monitoring the retaken planning decision. The Act clears the legal block in Victoria Tower Gardens; delivery now relies on consenting, design assurance, procurement and programme management to move the project into build. (parliament.uk)