LONELINESS: THE HIDDEN EPIDEMIC CAMPAIGN

That this House congratulates The Yorkshire Post newspaper on the second anniversary of its Loneliness: the hidden epidemic campaign which, in conjunction with the Campaign to End Loneliness, raises awareness of the issue of social isolation; recognises the importance of this campaign and the work being done by the Campaign to End Loneliness, Age UK, Royal Voluntary Service and others to tackle loneliness; notes that this problem is a serious one that can affect anyone, irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or background and that it has a profound impact on physical as well as mental health and has significant cost implications for health and social services; and calls on the Government to require health trusts and local authorities to include loneliness in their health and wellbeing strategies, which at present is voluntary, and to explore other ways in which it can help tackle this growing problem.