I’m fundamentally opposed to the Government’s Health and Care Bill. I believe that the proposals outlined will do nothing to address chronic staff shortages across our NHS, and will instead simply open the door to private companies seeking to profit from healthcare.

I was unable to attend Parliament on the days of the vote as I had to self-isolate with covid symptoms after close contact with a confirmed case. Because of this I ensured that my vote was paired in order to register my firm opposition to the Bill.

Unfortunately this is recorded as an abstention but I can reassure you that my opposition was registered using pairing and the vote majority reflected this.

I will always work to keep our NHS public, free at point of cost, and delivering for people, not private companies.