"Loneliness is the new epidemic of our times with evidence suggesting it can be as harmful as smoking. This needs to change and it is great to see the Prime Minister leading the charge." Caroline Dinenage
Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, has today welcomed the Prime Minister's launch of the Government's Loneliness Strategy.
The cross-Department strategy aims to tackle Loneliness which has become epidemic in recent years with evidence suggesting it is as great a public health danger as smoking or obesity.
Key components of the strategy include:
· All GPs in England will be able to refer patients experiencing loneliness to community activities and voluntary services and we have confirmed £1.8 million additional funding to increase the number of community spaces available.
· The first ever Employer Pledge to tackle loneliness in the workplace, and a number of high-profile businesses, including Sainsbury's, Transport for London, National Grid and the Civil Service, have already pledged to take further action to support their employees' health and social wellbeing.
The strategy builds on the £20 million worth of additional funding already announced.
Commenting Caroline said: "This strategy presents a powerful vision of how socially connected we want our communities to be. With as many as 18% of adults feeling lonely often or always this strategy is timely. Many of my own constituents will benefit from the measures outlined in the report."
Caroline can be contacted on 020 7219 0198