The consultation on the design competition for the UK’s Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre is coming to a close. The project will create a national space for remembrance as well as challenging visitors to stand up against hatred and prejudice.

The online feedback portal, where anyone can see and give feedback on the designs, will close at 7pm Wednesday 30 August 2017.

The international design competition sought to harness the very best architectural talent to create an emotionally powerful and sensitively designed memorial. 92 design teams expressed an interest in the project, with a shortlist of ten invited to submit concept designs.

The opportunity for the public to feed in their view to the Jury was announced in January 2017 and a number of exhibitions have since taken place around the country. The Jury will meet to make its decision in September 2017.

Public feedback received as part of the consultation will be given to the independent Jury to consider before making its decision. The final decision for the schemes and winner will sit with the Jury.

The designs have most recently been displayed at the V&A where visitors were able to see and feedback on the designs as well as take part in a number of events involving Holocaust survivors.

The Jury is comprised of:

• Sir Peter Bazalgette (Chair)
• Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Communities and Local Government Secretary
• Rt Hon Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
• Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
• Samantha Cohen, Assistant Private Secretary to Her Majesty The Queen
• Charlotte Cohen, Holocaust Commission Youth Commissioner
• Alice Greenwald, President and CEO of 9/11 Memorial and Museum
• Ben Helfgott MBE, Holocaust survivor
• Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, Broadcaster
• Lord Daniel Finkelstein OBE, Journalist
• Dame Julia Peyton-Jones DBE, Former Director of Serpentine Gallery
• Sarah Weir OBE, CEO of Design Council
• Paul Williams OBE, Stanton Williams Architects.

The United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial International Design Competition is being run in accordance with EU procurement guidelines and the Public Contract Regulations 2015. This competition is being organised by Malcolm Reading Consultants and has been advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on behalf of the United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial Foundation and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The latest quarterly Home Office migration statistics, which were published on Thursday (24 August) show that over 1,200 refugees arrived through the scheme in the second quarter of 2017, meaning over a third of the 20,000 refugees the UK government pledged to resettle by 2020 are already in the UK. Approximately half of those who have arrived under the scheme are children.

Today’s figures also show Syrian refugees have been housed by more than 200 local authorities across the United Kingdom. The government continues to work with councils and devolved administrations to ensure placements are available as more vulnerable people arrive.

Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis said:

I’m delighted with the significant progress we have made with the VPR scheme. Over 8,500 people have been resettled and more are arriving every month.

We will continue to work with local authorities and the UNHCR, whose hard work so far has made sure that the scheme is a success, to provide those who have been displaced by conflict with a safe environment and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

In September 2015, the government pledged to resettle 20,000 vulnerable Syrians who have fled the conflict in Syria to neighbouring countries by 2020. Last month, the scheme was expanded to include refugees of all nationalities. Additionally 3,000 children and adults will be resettled from the Middle East and North Africa through our Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme.

Additionally, in July the government announced £1 million funding to help communities support refugees through the Community Sponsorship scheme. The scheme has been running for a year and 53 refugees have been welcomed by 10 community groups across the UK.

The government has also already pledged £10m in English language funding to help Syrian families improve their English language skills. This is vital to help those coming to the UK find work, gain independence and give back to the communities that have welcomed them.

These resettlement schemes are only one of the ways the government is supporting vulnerable children and adults who have fled danger and conflict. The UK government remains the second largest donor in humanitarian assistance and has pledged £2.46 billion in aid to Syria and the neighbouring countries.

The UK has also provided humanitarian support in response to the Mediterranean migration crisis of more than £100 million since October 2015. This includes providing winter clothing, hygiene kits and emergency medical care for those rescued at sea as well as protection for women and girls at risk of being trafficked.

Foreign Office Minister for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field said:

The UK welcomes the report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State. We stand ready to support the Burmese government in implementing the report’s recommendations, to address the long-term issues in Rakhine and deliver for all communities.

We have received reports of attacks by a Rohingya insurgency group on Burmese security forces. We strongly condemn all violence in Rakhine State. We urge all parties in Rakhine to show restraint and de-escalate tensions.

International Development Minister Alistair Burt said:

The British Government is deeply concerned following reports of attacks overnight in Rakhine and condemns all violence and loss of life. The UK has long been one of the biggest supporters of Burma, including in Rakhine State. Since 2012, we have provided over £30 million in humanitarian assistance, including food and sanitation for over 126,000 people.

We welcome yesterday’s Rakhine Advisory Commission report and stand ready to support the Burmese Government to implement its recommendations, while continuing to call for freedom of movement and equal access to basic services in Rakhine for all communities.

Further information

The final wall cladding combination has passed and meets current Building Regulations guidance.