Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help support local councils to tackle loneliness.

Many people experience loneliness and social isolation, and across government, we’re committed to building a more connected society, where everyone is able to build meaningful relationships. Having strong social relationships play an important role in our physical and mental wellbeing, and local councils, health systems and voluntary and community sector organisations all have an important role to play in tackling loneliness. Local services can achieve better outcomes in tackling loneliness by working together and building a shared understanding of the local community’s needs and assets.

The government is working with partners to support local areas to share and learn from best practice examples. This includes working with the Local Government Association to provide guidance on how local councils can tackle loneliness, and providing a space for organisations to share resources on the Tackling Loneliness Hub. Furthermore, through the delivery and evaluation of the £30 million Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, local authorities and community organisations in high deprivation areas will have access to evidence on what works to increase regular volunteering and reduce chronic loneliness.