Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport on steps that Department is taking to alleviate loneliness and isolation in young people during the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021; whether his Department is taking steps in that matter in addition to those funded by that Department; and if he will make a statement.

Officials at the Department of Health and Social Care regularly engage with officials at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to co-ordinate our COVID-19 response and to ensure we support everyone experiencing loneliness during the pandemic, including young people.

SThe Government has invested over £31.5 million in organisations supporting those experiencing loneliness, including young people. We refreshed our ‘Let’s Talk Loneliness’ campaign, and brought together a new Tackling Loneliness Network made up of private, public and charity sector organisations.