Seven years and four governments ago, the-then Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published its 'A connected society: a strategy for tackling loneliness' policy paper that subsequently reported every year until 2023.

We think loneliness is a silent epidemic, it holds no bias as to who it affects - young or old, male or female. We think the 2018 strategy lacks sufficient updates to address the evolving crisis, exacerbated by post-pandemic isolation, economic pressures, and the decline of community spaces. We are calling for an updated strategy in this Parliament, with dedicated funding for community programs, mental health support, and awareness campaigns to combat this growing public health crisis.