It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Harris. I thank Ayoub Khan for securing this important debate and express gratitude to other contributors. Acknowledging families, carers, and health staff who provide compassionate care daily, the minister highlights that increased life expectancy has placed additional pressure on healthcare systems but notes improvements in supporting those with complex needs through NHS continuing healthcare. The Labour Government introduced the programme which supports thousands of people annually; statutory guidance ensures consistent approach. Over 164,000 individuals were found eligible for continuing care by March 2025—an increase from 160,000 in 2017. Integrated care boards work to streamline processes and find efficiencies, with NHS England monitoring compliance. Efforts are ongoing to reduce running costs of integrated care boards while ensuring frontline services receive necessary funding. Baroness Casey's independent commission on adult social care will recommend immediate actions focusing on safeguarding, dementia, and motor neurone disease. Existing tensions between ICBs and local authorities regarding eligibility decisions exist but the minister acknowledges the need for joint working to improve outcomes. A robust dispute resolution process is in place including local reviews by ICBs and independent review panels if unresolved locally. The minister expresses regret over constituents' difficulties shared by Ayoub Khan, offering further correspondence as a solution. Concerns about low numbers of eligible individuals post-assessment are addressed by the initial referral threshold set to ensure comprehensive assessments. Collaboration with sector bodies aims to achieve better integration between NHS and local authorities. Kinnock congratulates the hon. Member for securing this debate and commits to working collectively to improve services.