Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Khan of Burnley on 4 March (HL Deb cols 62GC–68GC), what is their estimate of the total cost of the construction of the Holocaust memorial; on exactly what basis was that estimate calculated; when was that estimate calculated; by how much they expect that estimate to have changed since it was calculated; and whether that estimate includes running costs.

Forecast costs of £138.8m for completion of the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre were published on 28 June 2023 in a Written Ministerial Statement UIN HLWS875. Within that total figure, as the Statement makes clear, £91.3m relates to construction costs.

The construction and exhibition cost estimates, including inflation rates in those sectors, are based on advice from cost consultants Aecom (construction) and Greenways (exhibition). The forecast also includes programme staff and contractors, design and operational set-up costs and the cost of the planning inquiry.

A revised estimate of construction costs will be prepared following the receipt of tenders for the Main Works contract.

Operating costs, which will be incurred after the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre is built, are currently estimated to be between £6.5m and £8.5m per year.