Barking MP wins Spectator award

The MP for Barking has scooped an award for her work leading an influential spending watchdog.

Margaret Hodge chairs the House of Commons public accounts committee, which scrutinises public spending including PFI projects, health and housing schemes and academies.

The Labour MP won the Spectator magazine “Inquisitor of the Year” award last week.

She said: “I am extremely flattered and humbled to receive this award.

“The work we do on the committee is not simply part of the ‘Westminster bubble’.

“We look at issues that are of crucial importance to people in Barking and Dagenham, whether it’s to do with housing schemes, childcare provision or the Olympic legacy.”