Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to tackle loneliness and isolation through the GovTech innovation fund.

One of the GovTech public sector challenges, submitted by Monmouthshire County Council and selected for funding in the first round, is tackling loneliness and rural isolation. Monmouthshire County Council aims to develop digital innovations that could better connect isolated people and support local transport.

Currently, the challenge is in the first phase with five technology firms funded to explore the technical and commercial feasibility of their respective projects. The best ideas could go on to share up to £1 million to develop them further.