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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of whether there has been an increase in loneliness and isolation due to the covid-19 outbreak and the onset of winter, particularly in respect of people living in rural areas; what support and funding is available to tackle loneliness and isolation; and if he will make a statement.

Emerging evidence from sources including the Office for National Statistics and University College London suggests that whilst the overall number of people feeling lonely has remained stable during Covid-19, those already likely to experience loneliness may be at a higher risk of feeling lonely during the pandemic. Studies on loneliness during the pandemic have not explored the differences between rural and urban areas. In general, evidence from the Community Life Survey suggests there is no significant difference in loneliness levels between rural areas and urban areas.

Government has provided support to tackle loneliness and isolation during the pandemic, including issuing guidance on how people can help themselves and others safely, and a new cross-sector Tackling Loneliness Network. Since the start of the pandemic, the government has provided £23 million to over 1100 charities who undertake activities that tackle loneliness. This has been awarded as part of the government’s £750 million charity funding package.

We will shortly launch a further £4 million fund, together with the National Lottery Community Fund, targeted at small local charities and grassroots groups. There will be two application rounds next year, with local groups able to apply for up to £2 500 each through this fund.