Parliament has enacted the Holocaust Memorial Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 22 January 2026. The Act provides a statutory basis for central government spending on a national Holocaust Memorial and an associated Learning Centre, including ancillary works and the facility’s ongoing operation and maintenance. Legislation published on legislation.gov.uk confirms that costs are to be met from money provided by Parliament.
The Act empowers the Secretary of State to carry out construction “on, over or under any land” for the memorial and the centre, and defines “construction” to include erection, extension, alteration and re‑erection. This drafting accommodates a below‑ground learning facility and makes clear that the spending power covers associated works required to deliver and run the site.
The legislation also removes a historic restriction. Section 8(1) and 8(8) of the London County Council (Improvements) Act 1900 no longer prevent the activities authorised by the new Act on the land described in that section. Those 1900 provisions were central to the High Court’s April 2022 decision to quash the 2021 planning consent; UK Parliament and GOV.UK summaries confirm that the new Act addresses that legal obstacle.
The land covered by section 8(1) of the 1900 Act is the southern part of Victoria Tower Gardens beside the Palace of Westminster. Government communications set out that the memorial and learning centre are intended for this location next to Parliament. The new Act enables the memorial and centre to be built, used, operated, maintained and improved on that site, subject to the planning process.
Commencement is staged. The Act comes into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with 22 January 2026. Until commencement, the 1900 Act restriction remains in effect; after commencement, it no longer prevents construction or operation of the memorial or the learning centre on the specified land. The Act extends to England and Wales only and may be cited as the Holocaust Memorial Act 2026.
According to the 22 January 2026 GOV.UK announcement, the 2018 planning application remains current and will be re‑determined by a designated minister who has had no prior role in the project. This separation is intended to ensure a fair and transparent decision. The new Act does not itself grant planning permission; it removes the statutory barrier so the planning merits can be considered again.
Project information on GOV.UK references a memorial by Adjaye Associates and Ron Arad Architects with park works by Gustafson Porter + Bowman in Victoria Tower Gardens. These design details sit outside the Act, which is focused on authorising expenditure and removing the 1900 restriction. Any conditions on design, access, security or heritage will arise from the planning decision.
For delivery teams across central government and contractors, the practical effect is that expenditure on construction, operation, maintenance and improvement now has explicit legislative cover. This will support business cases, contract letting and programme governance once the Act is in force, while the planning decision is awaited.
UK Parliament records show that the legislation proceeded as a hybrid Bill, reflecting general application alongside effects on a specific location. The Bill cleared its final stage on 21 January 2026 and received Royal Assent on 22 January 2026. That timetable provides a short window before commencement for departments to update risk registers and engagement plans with local stakeholders.