• THE General Election is just a week away, and I want to encourage everyone who is registered to get out and vote.

A lot has been written about the changes to electoral registration and the hundreds of thousands of people who have dropped off the register as a result. Unfortunately the deadline for this election has passed but if you are registered, make sure you vote.

As we know locally given our Chartist history, the universal right to vote is something working people had to fight hard to get, with women having to fight to get equality for even longer. It is a vital right and a real chance to make a difference to our country and our own communities here in South Wales.

Though devolution has changed politics in Wales, the Westminster elections matter greatly, and I urge people to vote Labour. Labour’s proposed Mansion Tax would allow the Welsh Labour Government to spend the money raised on training 1,000 more NHS healthcare professionals – doctors, nurses and therapists. And scrapping the Bedroom Tax and ending exploitative zero hours contracts would benefit people across Wales.

The future direction of our public services, jobs, rights at work and living standards - and so much more - are all affected by the decisions Governments make. Voting is one important way we have a voice, and I hope you all use it and use it to vote Labour for equality of opportunity and outcome and fairness for all.

• Moving on from the election, I very much welcome a recent announcement from Welsh Government.

Helping older people with the right care and support to remain independent and stay in their homes is extremely important. That’s why I was very pleased the Welsh Government gave more detail on an extra £20 million we are providing for the Intermediate Care Fund.

This will help reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and delays coming out of hospital, which is better for older people and helps relieve the pressures on our NHS services. Moving care closer to people’s homes is a real priority, and benefits us all.

The tough budget cuts of the last five years imposed on the Welsh Government and local councils have put a lot of pressure on our care and health services, but I am pleased that the Welsh Government will still invest in this important work.