Born in Denton, the third of eight children, Catherine’s roots in Newcastle North are deep.

She grew up in the west end of Newcastle, attending Sacred Heart Comprehensive School in Fenham. Her family goes back generations in this area and currently live throughout Newcastle North constituency; in Newburn, Denton, Lemington, Gosforth and Woolsington.

Whilst studying politics and history at University in Edinburgh, Catherine was active in various student organisations campaigning on international human rights and environmental issues. It was from that platform that Catherine was elected onto the Edinburgh University Students Association and appointed as Finance Officer. Catherine campaigned for fair trade goods to be sold in all University outlets, something which was achieved by the time she graduated in the year 2000.

Catherine and her husband Rhys live in Gosforth and have two young children. Having personally experienced the kinds of challenges faced by many parents, Catherine understands of the benefits of the NHS and also the Labour government’s policies which prioritised the welfare of young families.

Before becoming an MP, Catherine worked as an employment solicitor with a large Newcastle law firm where she regularly mediated disputes, appeared before Employment Tribunals and represented clients in a broad range of environments. Catherine also spent time assisting her husband in running his cafe and events company, providing her with a firsthand experience of the challenges facing small businesses.

As a person who is passionate about the North East, Catherine wants to ensure that it is Labour that represents the residents in this constituency, to ensure that public money continues to be invested in those that need it most. Catherine was elected in May 2010 with a majority of 3,414.