MENTION Parliament and the first thing most people think of is Prime Minister’s Questions – and the shouting, jeering and point-scoring that goes with it.

Yet Parliament is much more effective when MPs work in a constructive and co-operative manner – not least in the committee rooms of Westminster. Parliamentary committees work on a cross-party basis and carry out detailed investigations to make sure that the Government is held to account.

I was recently appointed to the Public Accounts Committee. It’s Parliament’s oldest select committee and is tasked with making sure there is value for money when it comes to spending and the delivery of public services.

Over the past few weeks we have looked at online VAT fraud, the costs of replacing aircraft carriers and the Government’s deal to build a new nuclear power station – Hinckley Point C. It’s a varied business.

We take it in turns to lead on questions and last week was my first time as the committee had the chance to question the Department for Education on their accounts.

One issue that many of residents across Oxford West and Abingdon have contacted me about is schools funding. Rising costs mean schools are having to look at cutting extra-curricular activities, subjects and staff, or even ask parents to make voluntary contributions.

Earlier this year the Government announced £1.3 billion for the schools budget over the next two years, but there is no extra funding being given to pay for this. So during this week’s committee meeting, I questioned government officials about where exactly the money was coming from.

It is meant to be coming from ‘savings’ within the Department. Yet in response to my question, where I called it 'pretty vague stuff', I was told that – three months after they announced this schools funding – they still can’t say where the money’s coming from. The Government are now 'constructing a plan' – not really good enough don't you agree?

I also used the chance to ask why the Government aren’t giving enough money to childminders and nurseries to allow them to deliver the promised 30 hours of a free childcare a week for three and four-year-olds.

I will be continuing to use my role on the Public Accounts Committee to hold the Government and public bodies to account, and to make sure that taxpayers’ money is spent wisely and efficiently.

This week I will be leading on online fraud, hearing from banks, retailers, Age UK and others about how ineffective the Government response has been to this ubiquitous and escalating crime.