Time Banking

Opened the debate

The hon. Member is concerned about the decline in traditional community structures, such as religious organisations and local networks, leading to social isolation and loneliness among adults in the UK. She cited Office for National Statistics data showing a decrease of 7.2% since 2014-15 in those who feel their neighbours are willing to help them and an 8% fall in trust within neighbourhoods. Additionally, she mentioned that nearly half (49%) of adults reported feeling lonely occasionally, sometimes, often or always in 2022.

Government Response

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Bardell. I thank the hon. Member for Edinburgh North and Leith for securing this debate on the potential merits of Government support for time banking and for an insightful speech on the benefits that she has clearly witnessed herself. For me, volunteering is vital to society. As a Government, we are strongly committed—and I am personally—to supporting volunteering in all its forms. Our latest figures show that about 25 million people in England had volunteered at least once in the previous 12 months. That is a huge number of people making a positive impact in their communities. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has supported the development of volunteer rewards schemes such as Tempo Time Credits, which received a DCMS grant to help it scale up from its origins in Wales, to pilot three new hubs in England. Between 2017 and 2020, Tempo had more than 15,000 volunteers registered on its platforms, facilitating the exchange of information and support among its members. The Government is committed to encouraging and enabling volunteering across the country, supporting the next generation of volunteers, and improving volunteering experiences. Funding from the Government includes up to £30 million through the Know Your Neighbourhood fund to widen participation in volunteering and tackle loneliness in 27 of the most disadvantaged areas of the country. I extend an offer to meet with Members who are interested in discussing innovative ways to get all communities working together, encouraging people to take part in their community activities.