Latest news with #CatherineFookes
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Reader on Catherine Fookes MP's first year in office
I then decided to list all of the things Catherine Fookes has done over the year and saw that she has been complicit in a lot of the failings. It has been a year since the Labour election victory. They promised us change—but they didn't say it would be a change for the worse. Catherine Fookes and Labour promised they wouldn't raise taxes and said they'd support local business, then they hit small businesses with an increase in National Insurance. Mrs Fookes went to a meeting at Raglan Farmers market before the election and promised no increase in inheritance tax for farmers - then she voted for it. Mrs Fookes also promised at public meetings to look after the elderly of Monmouthshire, then voted to snatch away the winter fuel allowance from 20,000 pensioners in Monmouthshire. Mrs Fookes celebrated the pledge for an investment of £445 million over 10 years for Welsh rail but forgot to mention that it is less than half of what the last Conservative government spent on rail in Wales over the last 10 years. Mrs Fookes has complained about the impact of the partial closure of the M48 bridge on congestion, travel times, and the local economy in Monmouthshire. Yet time and time again, the Welsh government, Mrs Fookes, and Labour councillors have opposed the Chepstow bypass, which would have reduced travel time, congestion and improved air quality around Chepstow. In her weekly columns, Mrs Fookes is happy to list local events she has visited, but she never mentions the countless U-turns, the repeated betrayals, and endless failings of this Labour government. If Mrs Fookes and Labour are truly serious about change, and change for the better. Wales—and Monmouthshire in particular—deserve better than empty words, false pledges, and chaotic U-turns. Best wishes, Thomas Hodkinson, Chepstow
South Wales Argus
08-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
New playground in Devauden, Monmouthshire, re-opens
The upgraded playground in Devauden officially reopened on Saturday, July 5, following a seven-week closure as part of a major refurbishment project. Catherine Fookes MP unveiled commemorative plaques at the event, which took place during the fête at Hood Memorial Hall. Ms Fookes said: "I have always envied Devauden's community spirit which is very special and this amazing playground gives credit to the committee of local volunteers who made it possible." The project was funded through two National Lottery grants: a £55,000 People and Places award, which went towards the equipment, and a £9,800 Awards for All grant, which paid for new perimeter fencing. Devauden Hall contributed £25,000, with an additional £4,000 raised through community donations and fundraising. Richard May, chair of Devauden Hall, said the scheme shows what volunteer-led projects can achieve. Mr May said: "This magnificent playground is a wonderful example of what communities and volunteers can do. "The happy faces of children today show that they more than exceeded expectations." The playground was redesigned following consultations with local families, who requested equipment for younger children and those with disabilities or sensory needs.
South Wales Argus
21-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Warm Home Discount scheme welcomed by Monmouthshire MP
The support comes through an expanded Warm Home Discount scheme, will provide eligible households with £150 off their energy bills next winter. Catherine Fookes, MP for Monmouthshire, said: "From my recent survey and speaking to residents on the doorstep, I know the cost of living is one of the key concerns for families across Monmouthshire. "So I very much welcome this news, it's a positive step forward and will provide millions more families across the UK with cost of living support, energy security and put more money in people's pockets. "This is welcome progress, but I know energy and water bills are still too high and people are still struggling after the past 15 years. "I will keep pushing the government to do even more to support those across Monmouthshire and bring energy bills down by producing our own Welsh green energy." The UK Government has announced that an additional 2.7 million households across the UK will now qualify for the £150 discount, bringing the total to more than six million. This includes 900,000 families with children and 1.8 million households living in fuel poverty.
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Government will not be lenient with Thames Water creditors, suggests Reed
Environment Secretary Steve Reed has suggested that the Government will reject calls from Thames Water creditors for leniency from fines and penalties. Taking questions in the Commons on Tuesday, Mr Reed said the Government had 'stepped up our preparations and stand ready for all eventualities', amid Thames Water's search for a rescue plan. The troubled utility company's lenders put forward proposals to pump cash into it. But they have also demanded leniency from regulators over performance targets and fines for environmental failings. The creditors argue that without regulatory leniency, the utility's 'pollutions, asset health deterioration, and customer service levels are likely to worsen'. Labour MP for Monmouthshire, Catherine Fookes, told the Commons: 'I am really concerned by reports of Thames Water seeking regulatory easements. 'Can the Secretary of State assure me that this Government will continue to crack down on water pollution from all sources, including in the Wye and the Thames and all across the UK?' Mr Reed replied: 'The Government will always act in the national interest on these issues. 'Thames Water must meet its statutory and regulatory obligations to their customers and to the environment. 'It is only right that the company is subject to the same consequences as any other water company. 'The company remains financially stable, but we've stepped up our preparations and stand ready for all eventualities, as I've said before, including a special administration regime if that were to become necessary.' It comes after US private equity giant KKR recently pulled out of a rescue deal to inject much-needed cash into Britain's biggest water supplier, which has 16 million customers and is sinking under £19 billion of debt. The move threw the future of Thames Water into doubt once more and raised the threat of temporary nationalisation by the Government if a deal cannot be agreed. A Thames Water spokesperson said: 'Thames Water is committed to improving outcomes for the environment and its customers. 'We are investing billions of pounds in our network and any recapitalisation of the business will need to ensure that is maintained for the benefit of all our stakeholders. 'Our focus remains on a holistic and fundamental recapitalisation, delivering a market-led solution which includes targeting investment grade, credit ratings.' The creditors are the bondholders who now effectively own Thames Water after the High Court, earlier this year, approved a financial restructuring through a loan of up to £3 billion to ensure it can keep running until the summer of 2026. As part of their plans, the creditors would commit to spending £20.5 billion over the next five years, as agreed under the current five-year plan with Ofwat. But they are calling for a 'pragmatic approach' to regulation – including 're-basing incentives and performance targets' – and 'realistic levels of compliance'. It is understood they have been holding intensive talks with regulator Ofwat in the hope of securing approval for their deal in early July. A spokesman for the creditors said: 'Broad regulatory support is needed to unlock a market-led solution for Thames Water that will secure billions of pounds in fresh investment for its aging network, allowing a world class leadership team to start the intensive turnaround and deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. 'This investor group is committed to working with the Government and regulators to agree a pragmatic plan that recognises what Thames Water can realistically deliver and they expect to be held accountable for an ambitious trajectory for the company's return to compliance. 'More than £10 billion would be written off to get the company back to investment grade, expected to be the largest financial loss on an infrastructure asset in British history.'
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Government will not be lenient with Thames Water creditors, suggests Reed
Environment Secretary Steve Reed has suggested that the Government will reject calls from Thames Water creditors for leniency from fines and penalties. Taking questions in the Commons on Tuesday, Mr Reed said the Government had 'stepped up our preparations and stand ready for all eventualities', amid Thames Water's search for a rescue plan. The troubled utility company's lenders put forward proposals to pump cash into it. But they have also demanded leniency from regulators over performance targets and fines for environmental failings. The creditors argue that without regulatory leniency, the utility's 'pollutions, asset health deterioration, and customer service levels are likely to worsen'. Labour MP for Monmouthshire, Catherine Fookes, told the Commons: 'I am really concerned by reports of Thames Water seeking regulatory easements. 'Can the Secretary of State assure me that this Government will continue to crack down on water pollution from all sources, including in the Wye and the Thames and all across the UK?' Mr Reed replied: 'The Government will always act in the national interest on these issues. 'Thames Water must meet its statutory and regulatory obligations to their customers and to the environment. 'It is only right that the company is subject to the same consequences as any other water company. 'The company remains financially stable, but we've stepped up our preparations and stand ready for all eventualities, as I've said before, including a special administration regime if that were to become necessary.' It comes after US private equity giant KKR recently pulled out of a rescue deal to inject much-needed cash into Britain's biggest water supplier, which has 16 million customers and is sinking under £19 billion of debt. The move threw the future of Thames Water into doubt once more and raised the threat of temporary nationalisation by the Government if a deal cannot be agreed. A Thames Water spokesperson said: 'Thames Water is committed to improving outcomes for the environment and its customers. 'We are investing billions of pounds in our network and any recapitalisation of the business will need to ensure that is maintained for the benefit of all our stakeholders. 'Our focus remains on a holistic and fundamental recapitalisation, delivering a market-led solution which includes targeting investment grade, credit ratings.' The creditors are the bondholders who now effectively own Thames Water after the High Court, earlier this year, approved a financial restructuring through a loan of up to £3 billion to ensure it can keep running until the summer of 2026. As part of their plans, the creditors would commit to spending £20.5 billion over the next five years, as agreed under the current five-year plan with Ofwat. But they are calling for a 'pragmatic approach' to regulation – including 're-basing incentives and performance targets' – and 'realistic levels of compliance'. It is understood they have been holding intensive talks with regulator Ofwat in the hope of securing approval for their deal in early July. A spokesman for the creditors said: 'Broad regulatory support is needed to unlock a market-led solution for Thames Water that will secure billions of pounds in fresh investment for its aging network, allowing a world class leadership team to start the intensive turnaround and deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. 'This investor group is committed to working with the Government and regulators to agree a pragmatic plan that recognises what Thames Water can realistically deliver and they expect to be held accountable for an ambitious trajectory for the company's return to compliance. 'More than £10 billion would be written off to get the company back to investment grade, expected to be the largest financial loss on an infrastructure asset in British history.'
