The MP for Erith & Thamesmead, Abena Oppong-Asare, has been named as the parliamentary private secretary to the new shadow chancellor, Anneliese Dodds.
Parliamentary private secretaries act as the “eyes and ears” of senior politicians, and Oppong-Asare will be working closely with Dodds as she develops Labour’s financial policies under its new leader, Sir Kier Starmer.
Oppong-Asare, who was elected in December, said she was “delighted” to be asked to join the shadow Treasury team.
She said: “Covid-19 has highlighted the fragility of the current workings of our economy and the need for more scrutiny to be placed on our taxation system and public spending.
“We will be continuing to hold the Government to account over failings in how they have responded to Covid-19. We have already raised issues such as the financial black hole charity organisations are facing and problems with the furlough scheme, which has since been extended. This appointment will mean I can work with colleagues to ensure my constituent’s needs are represented and taken into account by the government in regards to spending and economic growth.
“I am looking forward to working with my engaged and talented colleagues to ensure we support the government in their successes and hold them to account in their oversights.”
Earlier this month, her neighbouring Labour MP, Greenwich & Woolwich’s Matt Pennycook, became the shadow minister for climate.
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