New chair of housing, communities and local government committee elected

Abena Oppong-Asare, Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead, has been voted in as the new chair of the housing, communities and local government (HCLG) committee.

Taking up the role earlier this week, Oppong-Asare succeeded Florence Eshalomi, who was appointed minister of state for homelessness, democracy, communities and faith in July this year.

Oppong-Asare was up against five other candidates to lead the cross-party group, winning 242 votes out of a total 460 in the final voting round.

In her supporting statement published before the election, the MP discussed her experience as parliamentary private secretary to the Prime Minister, minister responsible for national resilience and a local councillor.

She has also worked for a regulator and a housing company and led community engagement on behalf of the mayor of London following the Grenfell Tower fire.

She said she would “ensure the priorities and perspectives” of colleagues from across the House of Commons “shape the committee’s work”. These include delivering affordable homes “while balancing local priorities, climate resilience and nature” and regeneration, with a focus on rural and coastal communities and local government reform.