Asked by: Kirith Entwistle (Labour - Bolton North East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of loneliness on the (a) mental and (b) physical health of (i) elderly and (ii) vulnerable people.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) assesses multiple sources of evidence on loneliness including research on the impact of loneliness on physical and mental health across a range of demographic groups, including elderly and vulnerable populations. Chronic loneliness (feeling lonely often or always) can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or background, although some groups are known to be at a higher risk.
Research by DCMS highlights that this covers a range of demographics which are likely to include vulnerable adults. Data from the latest Community Life Survey suggests older people are not more likely to experience loneliness than the general population, although risk factors including having a disability or long-standing health condition, being widowed and living alone could increase the likelihood of experiencing chronic loneliness in this cohort.
DCMS research shows a bidirectional and cyclical relationship between chronic loneliness and mental health, with people experiencing chronic loneliness 3.7 times more likely to experience mental health distress compared to those who do not experience chronic loneliness. Furthermore, external research suggests that chronic loneliness can have negative impacts on physical health, including higher risk of heart disease, stroke and susceptibility to infection.
Asked by: Kirith Entwistle (Labour - Bolton North East)
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 support holiday home facilities for disabled people in (a) Bolton North East constituency and (b) the rest of the UK.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Holiday accommodation must be accessible to all visitors. DCMS are introducing a registration scheme for short-term lets, which Parliament legislated for in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The scheme will help improve transparency around safety across England, including in Bolton North East. The scheme will ensure all providers comply with essential health and safety requirements, including fire and gas safety regulations, which will help maintain appropriate standards for all guests, including those with accessibility needs. This will enable local authorities to better understand and support the provision of safe, accessible holiday accommodation in their areas.