Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Loneliness: Winter 2020-21

Thursday 5 November 2020 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government has allocated 18 million from a 750 million charity funding package to address loneliness through various support mechanisms.
  • The Minister expressed disappointment with the BBC's decision to restrict the free TV licence fee concession for over-75s.
  • The Government acknowledges the value of free TV licences for over-75s, particularly for those who may be isolated at home.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport
Mental Health
Context

As winter approaches, concern about increasing loneliness prompts the question.

Question

What steps he is taking to tackle loneliness in winter 2020-21. As winter approaches, loneliness will be a concern for many people.

Answer from Matt Warman

As part of our £750-million charity funding package, we have put £18 million into charities that tackle loneliness and provide support through online social groups, virtual buddying, telephone helplines and other activities. That is on top of £44 million going towards mental health as part of the same package.

Answered
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Q2 Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport
Benefits & Welfare
Context

With the latest lockdown, concerns about isolation and loss of access to free services like TV licences are raised. Age UK estimates that 2 million over-75s live alone; research shows that more than 3,000 households in Stockport may lose access to their free TV licence.

Question

What impact assessment has the Minister made of removing funding for the free over-75s TV licence? Many people will be isolated at home during this latest lockdown. Age UK estimates that 2 million over-75s live alone; research by the Library has revealed that more than 3,000 households in my constituency may lose access to their free TV licence.

Answer from Matt Warman

The hon. Gentleman is right to raise the issue of the over-75s TV licence. The Government remain deeply disappointed with the BBC's decision to restrict the over-75s licence fee concession. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific impact assessment details were not provided

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