Theresa May to unveil new plans to tackle loneliness

Prime Minister commits to implementing recommendations of commission set up by murdered Labour MP Jo Cox

Theresa May vowed to do 'everything we can' to end the social acceptance of loneliness (Getty)

Theresa May is to outline new plans to tackle loneliness and social isolation as part of an initiative established by the late Labour MP Jo Cox.

The Prime Minister will host a reception at Downing Street in honour of the former MP for Batley and Spen, who was shot dead in her constituency by a far right extremist in June 2016.

Ms May will announce the Government has accepted a number of recommendations put forward by the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness and commit to producing a new government strategy to tackle social isolation.

The commission was set up by the Labour MP before she died.

Studies have suggested that loneliness is worse for a person’s health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

More than nine million people in the UK – close to a sixth of the population - say they always or often feel lonely, but more than two thirds do not feel able to admit it.

At least 200,000 older people say they have not had a conversation with a friend or relative for at least a month.

People with disabilities are also particularly affected, with one in four reporting feeling lonely on a typical day – a figure that rises to more than four in five among 18-34 year olds.

Ms May said Tracey Crouch, the sport and civil society minister, will be tasked with leading the Government’s work to tackle loneliness, while a cross-departmental strategy on the issue will be published later this year.

Confirming that the Jo Cox Commission’s recommendations will be implemented, the Prime Minister said: “For far too many people, loneliness is the sad reality of modern life. I want to confront this challenge for our society and for all of us to take action to address the loneliness endured by the elderly, by carers, by those who have lost loved ones – people who have no one to talk to or share their thoughts and experiences with.”

Paying tribute to Ms Cox, she added: “Jo Cox recognised the scale of loneliness across the country and dedicated herself to doing all she could to help those affected. So I am pleased that Government can build on her legacy with a ministerial lead for loneliness who will work with the Commission, businesses and charities to shine a light on the issue and pull together all strands of Government to create the first ever strategy.

“We should all do everything we can to see that, in Jo’s memory, we bring an end to the acceptance of loneliness for good.”

Ministers will focus on assessing which initiatives for tackling loneliness are proving to be most effective, while the Office of National Statistics will look at how best to establish concrete evidence on the problem.

A new fund will also be set up to help charities and other organisations develop solutions to loneliness and provide money for community initiatives that bring people together.

The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, chaired by Labour MP Rachel Reeves and the Conservative’s Seema Kennedy, worked with 13 charities to come up with new ways to reduce loneliness.

Responding to the Government’s confirmation that it would accept their proposals, Ms Reeves and Ms Kennedy said: "We are really pleased to see that the Government is taking the issue of loneliness very seriously with its prompt response to our report. Jo Cox said that ‘young or old, loneliness doesn’t discriminate’.

“Throughout 2017 we have heard from new parents, children, disabled people, carers, refugees and older people about their experience of loneliness.

“We very much welcome that Government has accepted the Commission’s recommendations including the appointment of a new ministerial lead who will have the responsibility for creating a national strategy to tackle loneliness. We look forward to working with Minister Tracey Crouch, businesses, community groups and the public to create a world less lonely."

Ms May will also use the reception to give an award to Phil Burton, a former Royal Artillery Lance Bombardier who founded the Veterans’ Cafe in Leyland. The cafe brings former members of the armed forces together to talk, share experiences and access support.