On Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 March I helped lead Labour’s scrutiny of the Care and Support Bill, which was having its final stages of debate in the House of Commons.

We pushed votes on a number of really important issues including putting a new duty on the NHS to identify and support family carers; ensuring private care home owners can be fined or jailed for allowing abuse or neglect; and measures to improve staff training, tackle the scandal of 15 minute home care visits and zero hours contracts, and ensure all care staff earn at least the minimum wage.

I also voted to scrap Clause 119 of the Care Bill, which grants sweeping powers to the Health Secretary to close or downgrade local hospitals.

Unfortunately we were defeated on all these votes, but I and my Labour colleagues are determined to continue fighting to improve care and support, and ensure local people have a strong say in the future of local NHS services.

You can read the full debate including my speech here and here.