Margaret Hodge Appointed UK Anti-Corruption Champion

The Labour peer will lead efforts to combat corruption and illicit finance as the UK ramps up sanctions and funding for international crime investigations.

Dame Margaret Hodge, a long-time campaigner against corruption, has been named the UK’s anti-corruption champion by the government.
Her appointment coincides with the announcement of £36 million in additional funding for the National Crime Agency’s International Corruption Unit over five years.
Hodge will work with Parliament, the private sector, and civil society to address corruption and organized crime both domestically and internationally.
New sanctions target the illicit gold trade, including individuals and companies linked to laundering money and evading sanctions, such as Russian gold traders supporting Putin’s war efforts in Ukraine.
The government plans to introduce a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy in 2025 to strengthen its efforts to curb financial crimes and ensure national security.