Catherine Fookes MP
Labour MP for Monmouthshire 🌹 | catherine.fookes.mp@parliament.uk | She/Her
- Another casework success! 🙌 🚨 Problem: A resident reached out for help after being incorrectly charged regular dental fines. ✅ Solved: We stepped in, challenged the fine, and got it cancelled and refunded!
- Some photos from my recent Coffee with Cath in Monmouth! ☕️ Lots of great ideas and discussions about how we can make Monmouth and the surrounding areas even better - I’ll share the outcomes soon. Sign up for my monthly newsletter to hear about the next one: bit.ly/CatherineEma...
- Recently had the pleasure of attending the blessing of St Tewdrics Tower in Mathern – I even felt the tower move as they rang the bells! Congratulations to Ros, the community, and all involved in raising funds for the refurbishment. 👏
- Today, we remember the 116 children and 28 adults who tragically lost their lives in the Aberfan disaster. We will never forget.
- Big thank you to the team behind Lads Lunch at The Bridge Church in Chepstow for the warm welcome! This is a weekly event offering a warm space and free hot meals to men in the community – a brilliant local initiative. I last visited during the election campaign, so it was great to check in again.
- Another BIG month supporting residents across Monmouthshire! 👇 ✅ Worked on 475 cases raised by local residents ✅ Resolved and closed 236 cases ✅ Responded to 757 emails on local and national queries ✅ Attended 18 local visits/meetings Please get in touch if you need my support!
- I hosted another in-person surgery in Abergavenny last week - it was great to speak with residents and see how I can support them with the issues they’re facing. If you have a specific issue you think I can help with, please get in touch. 🤝
- JOIN MY TEAM: I’m looking for a Caseworker to help me support residents across Monmouthshire. If you'd like to learn more and apply, click here 👉 www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...
- I am appalled & horrified by the shameful act of terror in Manchester. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected. That it took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes this tragedy even more painful. We must not let hate win.
- If you live in the Monmouth area, come grab a coffee and have a chat with me! ☕ I’m hosting my first ‘Coffee with Cath' session in Monmouth on Wednesday 8th October, 11:00am – 12:30pm. 👉 Sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1688726679959... Or call/email my office and we’ll add you manually.
- Reposted by Catherine Fookes MP[Not loaded yet]
- Should’ve gone to Specsavers? Well, I actually did! 👓 I recently popped into my local Specsavers in Monmouth to meet Louise and Emily, the owners and local residents who run the branch. It was great to catch up with them and the team and hear how business is going.
- Flipping Welshcakes at Castell Coffi – the home of Millie’s Welshcakes! 👩🍳 During a recent meeting, I had the pleasure of meeting Ian who run's this fantastic coffee shop with his family in Caldicot. The welshcakes - as many of you know - are incredible!!
- I recently met with Network Rail, Transport for Wales & Department for Transport to discuss greater investment in rail in Monmouthshire! 🚆 I raised: ✅ Magor Station ✅ Chepstow station accessibility ✅ Severn tunnel junction car park link up ✅ Extending pay as you go ✅ More trains
- BIG NEWS: £1.5 million secured for Monmouthshire! 💰 I’m delighted to announce that Monmouthshire will benefit from £1.5 million of new funding through the UK Government’s Pride in Place programme.
- My monthly newsletter is being sent out soon, subscribe to make sure you don't miss it! 📬 Sign up 👉 bit.ly/CatherineEma...
- I’m very pleased that the UK Government has formally recognised the State of Palestine. I recently joined over 220 MPs in calling for this. Recognising Palestine is essential to protecting the viability of a two-state solution, and bringing an end to this dreadful humanitarian crisis and conflict.
- In Parliament, I asked the Women and Equalities Minister when the Government will bring forward the total ban on conversion therapy. Since raising this question I was pleased to also meet with the Minister who assured me that plans are progressing on this.
- Last night I was proud to vote for the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation: ✅ Day one rights to parental and bereavement leave ✅ Ending exploitative zero-hours contracts ✅ Strengthening statutory sick pay This is the difference a Labour Government makes.
- Great day at the Usk Show this weekend! 🐑 It was lovely to meet so many of you and look around all the fantastic stalls. I also had meetings with FUW & NFU to talk sustainable farming scheme, Inheritance tax, bluetongue and issues caused by the extremely dry weather we’ve had.
- Llongyfarchiadau to the new landlords of The Star in Llanfihangel Tor y Mynydd! ⭐🍺 This used to be my local when I first moved to Monmouthshire 25 years ago so I was delighted to be there on opening night recently. It's extra special to see it revived by the fantastic local community!
- Love the Dell Vineyard! ☀️ Glad to see all their hard work paying off - well done everyone the summer. Great atmosphere, wonderful pizzas & Hive Mind drinks!! 🍕 Glad to see all their hard work paying off - well done everyone.
- Diolch to everyone who came to my advice surgery in Caldicot on the weekend. 🤝 Thanks for raising the issues you did - my team and I will follow up and get back to everyone. I’ll always do my best to help out and please get in touch if you’d like a future surgery appointment.
- On my recent visit to Nevill Hall hospital, I also stopped by the very friendly 'Nevill Hall League of Friends Coffee Shop' ☕ They raised an incredible £103k last year for vital equipment for the hospital! If you’re interested in supporting too, they’re always looking for more volunteers.
- 🚨 The UK government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm. Compatible mobile phones and tablets will receive an alert, make a loud siren-like sound and vibrate. You will not need to take any action. Find out more at gov.uk/alerts
- It was fantastic to visit the new Velindre Radiotherapy Unit at Nevill Hall Hospital! This state-of-the-art facility is already treating patients locally, meaning people no longer have to travel all the way to Cardiff for important cancer treatment.
- Great to join Monmouthshire Housing Association and local councillors – including Cllr Sara Burch, Cllr Angela Sandles and Cllr John Crook – on site at Rockfield Farm in Undy 🏡 This exciting development will deliver 32 affordable, energy-efficient homes for local people!
- I stopped by Rogiet Community Hub recently, where the community gather every Wednesday at the village hall for tea, coffee, and bacon baps (which are to die for!!) ☕ I also got a sneak peek at the site of their brand-new hub - I can’t wait to come back when it officially opens!! 👏
- Chepstow Train Station must be accessible for all. 🚆 Despite major refurbishment works, the station will still lack the most basic accessibility. ➡️ Next steps: I’ll be meeting again with Network Rail in September and pressing UK Government Ministers to secure funding for an accessible bridge.
- At next years Senedd elections, we need to ask the people of Wales a simple question: do you want to throw away all the progress we are making, all the values we hold dear in Wales, the birthplace of the NHS, to risk it all on Reform – a party that wants to charge you to see a doctor?
- I recently visited a family-run farm in Undy to hear more about the pressures facing local farmers. I’ll be raising these points directly with the Treasury and DEFRA – and I’ll keep doing everything I can to make sure Monmouthshire farmers’ voices are heard loud and clear in Westminster.
- Thank you to everyone who stopped for a chat at Tesco in Chepstow today! 🛒 As your MP, I want to be as accessible as possible – which is why I’m holding surgeries in places like supermarkets, so I can meet you where you are. My team and I will make sure to follow up on everything raised.
- Wonderful to see the annual Tregare scarecrow competition back again - this years theme is musicals!! 🎶 What you can’t see on the photo is the actual water spray from a hosepipe on the “Singing in the rain” entry which is a fabulous touch. The judges will have a very hard job this year!
- "My biggest responsibility as your MP is supporting the residents of Monmouthshire, and only by being accessible and on the ground can I effectively achieve that." Read my latest column below! 👇
- Some throwback photos from Cllr Phil Bowyer’s Civic ceremony – congrats Phil, you'll no doubt make a fantastic Mayor!! 👏 And llongyfarchiadau also to Bryony Nicholson Deputy Mayor. Was great to also see Maddie and her husband Mohammed from the Monmouthshire Muslim Association. @
- Met the wonderful Rob at Music One in Aber recently when I popped in for a bday pressie vinyl! 🎶 He gave me some very welcome recommendations for my jazz loving hubby!
- Residents of Caldicot, do you need to speak with me? 📢 I’m holding a constituency surgery in Caldicot on Saturday 6th Sep. If you have any concerns or an issue you think I can help you with, please get in touch. 📅 Saturday 6th Sep ⏰ From 10:00 📍 Caldicot (exact location will be provided on RSVP)
- If you’re in Abergavenny over please summer check out Little Green Refills! Amazing cakes, coffees and reduces your plastic use! What’s not to like?!
- Stunning views from the top of Skirrid recently – we’re so lucky to have all this on our doorstep!! ☀️
- I recently popped into the brilliant Monmouth Library to pick up some summer reads!! 📚☀️ What are you reading at the moment? Let me know - always in need of new recommendations! And if you’re after a new read, remember to try out your local library!
- Read my latest column in the South Wales Argus where I recap everything achieved so far and my top priorities moving forward... www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/2534085...
- WELLBEING SUPPORT: Mind Monmouthshire are hosting regular FREE Wellbeing Support Sessions throughout August. You can book an appointment to meet with their Community Wellbeing Worker, Andrew by simply calling or emailing. 📞01783 858 275 📧info@mindmonmouthshire.org.uk
- I popped into The Halfway in Tal y Coed for Sunday lunch the other week. 🍴 It’s a fab local pub and the lunch was delicious - highly recommend. The cauliflower cheese is to die for and just look at the size of that Yorkshire pudding!! 😋
- My latest monthly newsletter is going out soon – make sure you're subscribed so you don’t miss out! 📬 Sign up here 👉 bit.ly/CatherineEmailSignUp
- Great to recently catch up with Welsh Government Minister Ken Skates and local councillors to discuss plans for a new active travel route between Usk and Pontypool. 🚲 The aim is to create a safe, accessible walking and cycling link – connecting people to schools, businesses and communities.
- I was delighted to recently attend the opening of King Henry School 3-19 school in Abergavenny recently. 📖 I was especially pleased to chat to students about the impact the new building is having on their learning which is super-positive!
- It was fantastic to visit Gwent Parent Carer Network and learn more about this brilliant charity supporting parent carers across Gwent – offering advice, friendship, events, and a space where every parent carer and their child feels welcome. What an inspiring group of dedicated women! 💪
- A great weekend door knocking session in Chepstow! Thank you for your time everyone who spoke to us. We know the traffic is a big issue for you and I am working on it along with MCC. Watch this space for further updates on High Beech Roundabout & more frequent Chepstow train services!
- After hearing that Jane's dog, Tess, became seriously ill from drinking river water, my team and I did what we could to help. I’m so relieved that Tess made a full recovery, and I welcome the biggest reform to our water sector in a generation. It’s time to clean up our rivers for good. 💧
