Emma was delighted to receive the award for Asian Voice’s Labour Backbencher of the Year, in an event at the House of Commons on Thursday.
Emma was nominated by readers of Asian Voice, which represents Asian communities across the UK.
She was chosen for her work raising issues around poverty, health and social care in Parliament, and for the impact she has made in Parliament in the short time since she was elected in May 2013. Emma was also recognised for the job she does representing Shields’ Bangladeshi community.
Last year Emma hosted a reception at the House of Commons honouring Bangladeshi Independence Day, together with Labour Friends of Bangladesh. A delegation from South Shields joined Labour members and councillors from across the country at the event. Emma also works closely with the Bangladeshi community in Shields, and is a regular speaker at their events.
Emma’s award was presented by Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, Andy Burnham MP.
She also learned that she has been nominated for a further award for her campaign against umbrella companies. Emma has repeatedly raised cases of employers who have used umbrella payroll companies to cut workers’ pay by hundreds of pounds per month. The winner of the award will be confirmed later in the year.
Emma said:
“I’m really honoured to have been given this award, I am so proud to represent such a diverse constituency and I want to thank all those who nominated me.”