Member of the Senedd for Sir Fynwy Torfaen, Peter Fox, has welcomed Labour MP Catherine Fookes’ “remarkable conversion” to the cause of lower business rates, after she called for a 20% reduction for high street businesses.
Mr Fox has repeatedly raised concerns about the burden of business rates in Monmouthshire and across Wales. In January 2024, he led a Welsh Conservative debate in the Senedd calling on the then Labour Welsh Government to reverse its decision to reduce business rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses from 75% to 40%.
The MS has continued to campaign on the issue, warning that businesses in Monmouthshire and Torfaen were being put at a competitive disadvantage compared with businesses just across the border in England.
Speaking in Parliament in September 2025, Ms Fookes welcomed the Welsh Labour Government’s approach to business rates, but in typical Labour Government fashion has now u-turned, calling for a 20% reduction in business rates for high street businesses.
Local MS for Sir Fynwy Torfaen, Peter Fox, has said:
“I very much welcome Catherine Fookes’ remarkable conversion to the cause of lower business rates. Businesses across Monmouthshire have been crying out for action on this for years.
“When Labour reduced business rates relief from 75% to 40%, I led the debate in the Senedd demanding they reverse it.
“Businesses in my constituency and across Wales were being put at a competitive disadvantage against businesses just a few miles away across the border in England, it simply isn’t fair.
“It’s a pity our MP wasn’t as enthusiastic about cutting business rates during the 27 years Labour were running Wales, or when she was working closely as an aide to Keir Starmer.
“If Catherine is now prepared to join us in making the case for lower business rates and giving our high streets a fighting chance, then I welcome her support.”
