Labour shadow care minister Andrew Gwynne has vowed to make a National Care Service “not just an ambition but a reality”.

Speaking at the launch of the Hft and Care England Sector Pulse Check report in London yesterday, Gwynne set out Labour’s 10-year vision for a reformed social care sector.

“It’s clear that we do need some proper, long-term thinking and that’s why I have been set the mission of developing Labour’s 10-year vision for a reformed social care sector culminating in the creation of a National Care Service,” he said.

The shadow care minister said a National Care Service would provide a national framework for sector standards, integration with health services and care quality.

He said a National Care Service would be built on a “devolutionist” model where decision are take a local level.

Gwynne said a Labour government would come down “like a ton of bricks” on “shoddy providers ripping off the most vulnerable” and failing to meet basic standards.

“The next Labour government will raise standards by ensuring that all providers demonstrate their commitment to financial sustainability and responsible tax practices, to valuing their staff and to delivering high quality care,” he said. “Only when providers can show this clearly will they gain registration from the CQC.”

The shadow care minister said Labour would introduce a fair pay agreement for care workers in its first 100 days that allows staff to move “seamlessly” between health and social care.

He also vowed to remove the lower earnings limit on sick pay so that workers can claim from day one and to ensure that National Minimum Wage limits are enforced on travel so that care workers are paid fairly for the work they do.