Health and Social Care Bill cleared by Lords

The government's controversial Health and Social Care Bill has cleared its final reading in the House of Lords.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley's bill – which will give GPs more power over commissioning and will open up certain services to increased competition – overcame a potential blocking amendment by independent crossbencher Lord Owen to receive Lords approval.

As the legislation returns to the House of Commons for what is expected to be the final stage of its approval process, Labour has been able to arrange an emergency debate in a final attempt to delay the bill.

The opposition is seeking to hinder further progress until the government agrees to publish an internal assessment of the potential risks the bill could pose to NHS services.

"Parliament has a right to know, before it is asked to make a final judgment that will have huge implications for every person in this country," said shadow health secretary Andy Burnham.

The bill is vehemently opposed by health unions such as the British Medical Association, Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Nursing, all of whom have called for it to be dropped altogether.