Daniel Hewitt: The Award-Winning ITV Journalist Exposing Britain’s Housing Failures
Daniel Hewitt is a British journalist, author, presenter and documentary maker best known for his work as Investigations Editor at ITV News. Based in London, England, he has built a respected career through powerful journalism that focuses on housing, poverty, politics, public services and social injustice. His work has helped bring hidden problems into national debate, especially the crisis facing tenants living in unsafe and neglected homes.
He is widely recognised for his direct style of storytelling, careful investigation and commitment to giving a voice to people who often feel ignored by powerful institutions. His journalism has moved beyond daily news coverage and into long-form documentaries, award-winning podcasts and, now, a major book.
Daniel Hewitt Career at ITV News
Early Work in Journalism
Daniel Hewitt began building his journalism career while studying at university. From August 2009 to April 2011, he worked as a freelance reporter for BBC Radio Stoke in the Greater Stoke-on-Trent area. This early work gave him practical newsroom experience and helped shape his future in broadcast journalism.
After completing his postgraduate journalism training, he joined ITV and took on several newsroom roles. From June 2011 to March 2012, he worked as a Production Journalist in the West Midlands. He then became a News and Sport Reporter in Manchester from March 2012 to December 2012.
Political Correspondent
In January 2013, he became a Political Correspondent for ITV in Manchester, a role he held until January 2019. This period strengthened his reputation as a journalist able to explain complex political decisions in a clear and human way.
From March 2019 to September 2022, he worked as a Political Correspondent for ITN in London. During this time, he covered major political issues and also became involved in podcast presenting, including Will Trump Win? and Calling Peston. In 2021, Will Trump Win? won Podcast of the Year at the Drum Media Awards.
Investigations Correspondent and Editor
From September 2022 to February 2024, Daniel Hewitt worked as an Investigations Correspondent for ITN. In February 2024, he became Investigations Editor at ITV News, one of the most important roles in British investigative broadcast journalism.
As Investigations Editor, his work focuses on stories that expose systemic failure, institutional neglect and the real-life effects of policy decisions. His journalism is not limited to presenting facts; it often follows people and families over time, showing the human cost behind national issues.
Daniel Hewitt and Social Housing Investigations
Surviving Squalor: Britain’s Housing Shame
One of Daniel Hewitt’s most important projects is Surviving Squalor: Britain’s Housing Shame, an ITV documentary that examined the terrible conditions faced by tenants in Britain’s social housing system. The documentary highlighted families living with mould, damp, leaks, unsafe buildings and long-term neglect.
In 2022, the documentary won Best News Documentary at the Association of International Broadcasters Awards. The success of the programme showed the power of investigative television when it is led by evidence, persistence and compassion.
The Trapped Podcast
Daniel Hewitt also presented and produced The Trapped, an eight-part documentary podcast series. The podcast examined housing failures and the lives of people trapped in poor conditions, unsafe accommodation and a system that too often failed to act.
The series won major recognition, including awards from the Radio Academy and the British Podcast Awards for best documentary work. It showed his ability to move across television, audio and written journalism while keeping the same focus: exposing failure and demanding accountability.
Daniel Hewitt Awards and Recognition
Daniel Hewitt has earned major recognition within British journalism. He was named Royal Television Society Specialist Journalist of the Year in both 2022 and 2024. Winning this award twice reflects the strength and influence of his investigative work.
He has also been nominated for The Orwell Prize four times. This is significant because the Orwell Prize is associated with political writing, social truth and journalism that confronts injustice. His repeated nominations show how strongly his work connects with wider debates about power, poverty and public responsibility.
In addition to these honours, his documentary and podcast work has won awards across broadcasting and media. These achievements underline his position as one of the leading investigative journalists working in the UK today.
Daniel Hewitt Book: Left to Rot
What Is Left to Rot About?
Daniel Hewitt’s first book is titled Left to Rot: How Governments Have Betrayed Us and How We Fix It. The book is due out on 1 June 2026 and is available to pre-order through major booksellers such as Waterstones and Amazon.
The title reflects the central theme of much of his journalism: that people have been left behind by policy failure, poor governance and systems that do not respond quickly enough to suffering. The book is expected to focus strongly on housing, government responsibility and the human consequences of long-term neglect.
Why the Book Matters
The release of Left to Rot marks an important step in his career. It allows him to take the themes of his television and podcast investigations into a longer written form. While television can show powerful images and interviews, a book can examine causes, decisions and solutions in greater depth.
The subtitle, How Governments Have Betrayed Us and How We Fix It, also shows that the book is not only about exposing problems. It aims to discuss repair, reform and accountability.
Daniel Hewitt Education
Daniel Hewitt studied at Chasetown High School from 2000 to 2007. His school grades included 5 A*, 2 A and 5 B grades. He then studied Politics at the University of York from 2007 to 2010, earning a First with Distinction. During his time at York, he was involved in student life through Vanbrugh College Football, York Vision, URY and YSTV.
After York, he studied Broadcast Journalism at Cardiff University, also known as Prifysgol Caerdydd, from 2010 to 2011. He completed his master’s degree with a Distinction. This combination of politics and broadcast journalism helped shape his later career in political and investigative reporting.
Daniel Hewitt Age and Personal Life
Daniel Hewitt has not shared an exact date of birth, so his age should not be treated as confirmed. However, his school and university years suggest that he is likely in his late thirties in 2026.
He keeps most family details private. His professional presence focuses on journalism, investigations, documentaries, podcasts and his book rather than personal life. His X bio also notes that he is a West Bromwich Albion fan, using the hashtag #wba.
Daniel Hewitt Social Media
Daniel Hewitt uses social media mainly for journalism, professional updates and contact with people who may have stories to share.
On Instagram, he uses the handle @daniel__hewitt. His account presents him as a journalist, Investigations Editor at ITV News, author of Left to Rot, presenter of The Trapped, and documentary maker connected with Surviving Squalor.
On X, he uses @DanielHewittITV. His bio describes him as Investigations Editor at ITV News, author of Left to Rot, presenter of The Trapped podcast and a West Bromwich Albion fan. The account has more than 42,000 followers and has been active since October 2010.
Why Daniel Hewitt Is Important
Daniel Hewitt stands out because his journalism combines evidence, pressure and emotional clarity. He does not simply cover events; he investigates systems. His work on social housing has shown how poor conditions can damage health, dignity and trust in authority.
Through ITV News, documentaries, podcasts and his forthcoming book, he has become an important voice in British investigative journalism. His career shows how determined reporting can expose failure, influence debate and push institutions to answer difficult questions.
