“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.”
The Learning Centre is to focus on the Holocaust and subsequent genocides and "will educate future generations on the importance of fighting prejudice and persecution in all its forms," the Communities Department said.
In 2015 the Government committed £50 million to the project. A time capsule will be buried at the memorial site "to remind future generations that survivors fought long and hard for this memorial".
In a video played at Tuesday’s event Theresa May, called the building of a Holocaust Memorial in Westminster "a sacred, national mission”.
Mrs 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.
A planning application for the project, which was first proposed in 2016, has been lodged with Westminster City Council but architects have said they will submit a smaller design, after heritage and environment groups raised concerns about the design's impact on Victoria Gardens.
Royal Parks, which manages the space, warned the initial plans would have a "significant and harmful impact" on the park, which is next to the Palace of Westminster.
