Helping people to stay in their own homes is central to allowing older people dignity and control over their own lives.

Derbyshire has a good record on this, the only county to have a free home help service.

But not every case can be resolved in this way and eventually every family will have to consider other options, some of which are costly.

Ten national organisations will be promoting Carers' Week next month. One person in ten regards themselves as a carer for a loved one but fewer than half of our carers regularly access the advice and support that is available for them.

Half of all carers try to balance work and care responsibilities. The sacrifices they make would cost the government billions of pounds if fully funded by the taxpayer.

Over the next few months the government will be consulting people about the services we provide for carers, the benefits they can claim and the advice they are given.

The select committee on which I sit is also looking in detail at this.

I think we need to give carers a higher priority. It should be easier for them to access support, they need more flexibility in their workplaces and the level of compensation they get needs to be more realistic.

These are big aims, but I think the people of High Peak are behind them.

* This week is National Breastfeeding Awareness Week. Breast is best for both mothers and babies and I repeat my support for the breastfeeding manifesto which was launched this time last year.