UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that all schools across the UK will be required to teach students about the Holocaust, as part of a new national

curriculum review. Speaking at the annual Holocaust Educational Trust dinner in London, Starmer also committed to ensuring that every student hears a recorded testimony from a Holocaust survivor, as part of a “national ambition” to enhance Shoah education.

"For the first time, studying the Holocaust will become a critical part of every student's education, not only to learn but to act on its lessons," Starmer said. He linked this initiative to broader efforts to combat rising antisemitism, which he described as being at record levels in Britain, referencing both the October 7 Hamas attacks and growing extremism seen at recent protests.

Starmer also vowed to build the National Holocaust Memorial near Parliament and announced new government funding to support school visits to Auschwitz. In a personal gesture, he promised to join one of these visits himself, honoring the memory of those murdered during the Holocaust.

In addition to reaffirming the importance of Holocaust education in the curriculum, Starmer emphasized the significance of hearing survivors’ testimonies while they are still with us, stating that the government would continue to fund programs like the Lessons from Auschwitz.

Reflecting on his own fight against antisemitism within his party, Starmer reassured the audience, including Holocaust survivors, that he would continue that battle as the leader of the country. He also pledged to address antisemitism head-on, calling it "hatred, pure and simple," and promised to do everything in his power to fight against it.

Karen Pollock, CEO of the Holocaust Educational Trust, praised Starmer for his strong stance, especially in light of rising antisemitism and the challenges posed by the fading memories of the Holocaust and increasing denial and distortion of history.