Written question asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Monday, 26 March 2012.

Older People: Loneliness

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Campaign to End Loneliness; and what action they are taking to support the aims of the campaign.

Answer: The Government are working with the Campaign to End Loneliness (CEL) to raise awareness of the problem of loneliness and tackle the factors that cause loneliness and isolation in older people. The department recently co-hosted a social isolation and loneliness summit with CEL to gain a commitment to tackle loneliness and isolation through health and well-being boards, commissioners, local communities, businesses, statutory and voluntary sector organisations. It has also commissioned CEL to produce a digital toolkit for health and care commissioners to combat loneliness and isolation. CEL and the Ageing Well programme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, have produced a guide for councils on combating loneliness. Representatives from CEL play a key role in the Age Action Alliance. This is a partnership of private, voluntary and public sector organisations jointly led by the Department for Work and Pensions and Age UK.

Secondary information