Age UK's response to Government’s new strategy on loneliness

Today, 15 October 2018, the government announced a new strategy on loneliness.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, says:

"We welcome the government's new strategy and support its commitment to tackling loneliness as a major public health problem. It is a real step in the right direction.

"Our recent report set out that the number of people over 50 suffering from loneliness is set to reach 2 million by 2025/6. Being lonely means a life cut off from the sense of community and connection that most of us take for granted.

"All of us who worked as part of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness are well aware that government can't solve loneliness alone - that will take concerted action across society. But government can provide the leadership and direction to make sure action and funding follow. So it's good to see the Prime Minister confirming that GPs in England will be able to refer patients experiencing loneliness to community activities and voluntary services by 2023.

"We hope that government continues to show leadership in tackling loneliness and that this strategy is able to harness the political and public energy to really challenge what has become a devastating and distressing reality for so many people."