Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Tackling Loneliness

Thursday 4 June 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has launched a new plan to tackle loneliness during the pandemic, including 5 million for charities and guidance.
  • The Secretary of State agrees that people should call elderly relatives to combat loneliness.
  • The Minister acknowledges the importance of engaging constructively with devolved nations but does not provide a direct answer on why the Showmen's Guild was excluded or when they might be included.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Mental Health
Context

The question addresses the issue of loneliness exacerbated by social distancing measures during the pandemic. The MP highlights the importance of supporting elderly individuals who are isolating alone.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help tackle the risk of loneliness, noting that Age UK Teesside provides support through a telephone befriending service and asking for Government support for charities on the frontline in fighting loneliness. The MP also encourages people to call elderly relatives who might be isolating alone.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

The government has launched a new plan to tackle loneliness during the pandemic, including £5 million for charities and guidance. The Secretary of State agrees that people should call elderly relatives.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While acknowledging the importance of reaching out to isolated individuals, the answer does not provide specific details on government support for frontline charities beyond the initial plan mentioned earlier.

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Q2 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Community Security Mental Health
Context

The question follows up on the initial query about loneliness, emphasizing the role of charities such as Age UK Teesside in providing support to isolated elderly people.

Question

Age UK Teesside is giving amazing support to those elderly people isolating alone through its telephone befriending service. What are the Government doing to support charities and voluntary organisations on the frontline in the fight against loneliness? Will the Secretary of State join me in encouraging people to flick through their phonebooks and drop a call to their Auntie Ethel, their Uncle Norman or anyone else who might be isolating alone at this time?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

The government is supporting charities and voluntary organisations, but no specific details are provided beyond urging people to make calls. The Secretary of State agrees that it is important for people to reach out.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While encouraging people to call elderly relatives, the answer does not provide specific support measures for charities and voluntary organisations on the frontline.

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Q3 David Linden SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question concerns the Showmen's Guild, a group representing fairground and showground operators, which has not been included in taskforces addressing leisure activities during the pandemic.

Question

Many people enjoy coming together at fairs and showgrounds. The Showmen's Guild says it has not been included in the taskforce for leisure. Will the Minister tell me why the Showmen's Guild was not involved? Can it be involved in the future, to secure the recovery?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

The Minister acknowledges the importance of engaging constructively with devolved nations but does not provide a direct answer on why the Showmen's Guild was excluded or when they might be included.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While agreeing to look into the point, no concrete timeline or commitment is given for future involvement of the Showmen's Guild.

How: Engaging Constructively With Devolved Nations

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