WIREDGOV

Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, responds to Age UK's new report No one should have no one: working to end loneliness amongst older people.

"We have long been calling for loneliness to be recognised as a major public health concern and we support Age UK in calling on MPs to put this important issue on the Government's agenda.

"Loneliness and social isolation have a major impact on people's health and wellbeing.

"Research shows loneliness can be more harmful than smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

"We all need to wake up to this problem, which is placing an increasing burden on health and social care."

Age UK pilot programme shows great promise in reducing loneliness 

Notes to editors

Combating Loneliness – a guide for local authorities