Catherine Fookes MP on Welsh public services funding
This is a clear example of two Labour governments in Westminster and the Senedd, working together to invest in our country's renewal and deliver for people across the UK.
I know that many people across the UK are angry and fed up. After 15 years of Conservative underinvestment in our public services and infrastructure, Wales in particular, has been left underfunded for far too long, with the Welsh Government doing their absolute best to deliver for Wales, dealing with limited budgets and an uncooperative UK Government.
Compare that with today, it's so encouraging to see the UK Government committed to working with our Welsh Labour Government and finally giving Wales the investment it deserves.
I know some people across Monmouthshire are still angry and fed up, and rightly so. 15 years of neglect by the former UK Conservative Government can't be undone overnight.
People want to see action and they want to see real change in their daily lives. I truly believe that with this new partnership between the UK and Welsh Labour Governments, we finally have the opportunity to start delivering that.
One of the most exciting announcements from last week's Spending Review was the £450 million allocated to rail infrastructure in Wales. This gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally deliver a new train station in Magor and Undy – a project I've long supported alongside MS John Griffiths, MP Jessica Morden, Labour councillors on Monmouthshire County Council, and the Magor Rail Group.
From knocking on doors and speaking with residents, I know how much this station means to our community. It would deliver greener, more reliable transport, ease congestion, and open up new job opportunities by better connecting us to the wider region.
I've already raised the project in Parliament and held conversations with transport ministers, so I'm glad to see that this project could soon become a reality.
I'll keep pushing to ensure Magor Walkway Station receives its share of this new funding and hope that we can get spades into the ground as soon as possible.
But it's not just about transport. Wales will also benefit from £211 million each year for the next three years via a Growth and Community Fund, supporting our high streets, community centres, and investing in local regeneration.
Other highlights from the Spending Review include:
£80 million for green industries in Wales to drive the clean energy transition.
£211 million a year for three years to support local growth and regeneration projects as a replacement to the Shared Prosperity Fund
£118 million to maintain and make safe coal tips across Wales
This is just the beginning. For the first time in a long time, we have two Labour Governments working hand-in-hand, and the benefits of that are being felt already.
There's more cooperative decision-making, more fair funding, and more opportunity to deliver real, positive change for all of us across Monmouthshire.
As your MP, I'll continue doing everything I can to make sure all of us here get our fair share of this investment. That means not only fighting your corner in Parliament, but also staying closely connected to your concerns and priorities at home.
That's why I'm continuing to host regular face-to-face constituency surgeries to support residents with specific problems. I've also launched a series of 'Street Surgeries', where I visit different areas of Monmouthshire and go door-to-door to speak directly with residents and learn more about the issues you think we need to address.
These conversations help shape the work me and my team do every week to support you – and I'll be continuing them over the coming months in every corner of Monmouthshire.
Together, let's continue to build a stronger, fairer, greener Monmouthshire. But I can only do that by listening to you and working with you.
If you have an issue or concern you think I can support you with, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
You can email me at catherine.fookes.mp@parliament.uk or call my office on 01291 200 139.
Catherine Fookes is Member of Parliament for Monmouthshire.
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