Margaret Hodge Appointed UK Anti-Corruption Champion

The UK government has appointed Baroness Margaret Hodge as the new Anti-Corruption Champion, aiming to combat the flow of illicit finance both domestically and internationally. Hodge, a veteran campaigner against corruption, will work closely with Parliament, the private sector, and civil society, emphasizing the urgency of effective action against this ongoing threat. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has pledged up to £36 million in funding to support the National Crime Agency's International Corruption Unit over five years. Foreign Secretary David Lammy highlighted the government's commitment to creating a hostile environment for corruption and its enablers. Hodge’s extensive experience in tackling financial wrongdoing positions her to lead a revitalized anti-corruption agenda in the UK. This initiative signals a renewed focus on corruption, which had waned since former Prime Minister David Cameron's tenure.