The UK’s leading social connection charity, The Cares Family, has called on the two main political parties to make strengthening social connection a priority. This comes from the publication of the report ‘Building Connection: A Manifesto’, which outlines five key policy recommendations to help strengthen social connection in communities across the UK.
The report argues that the UK is experiencing a crisis of social disconnection with a profound impact on public health, personal wellbeing, democracy and the economy. In 2022, 49.63% of adults (25.99 million people) in the UK reported feeling lonely and the cost of loneliness to UK employers is estimated to be £2.5 billion every year.
The manifesto is backed by cross-party support and is being supported by MPs Kim Leadbeater (Labour) and Tracey Crouch (Conservative). Leadbeater is the Co-Chair of the APPG on Tackling Loneliness and Connected Communities, while Crouch was the world’s first Minister for Loneliness and is currently Chair of the APPG.
Kim Leadbeater said: “We need urgent action to bring people together in our communities. As part of a cross-departmental approach to health and wellbeing, tackling social disconnection is a personal, public health, and political necessity.”
Tracey Crouch commented: “It’s vital this work is taken forward and that we ensure the right funding and support is in place for local organisations and groups in every community to tackle loneliness.”
The manifesto’s five policy recommendations include a refreshed loneliness and social connection strategy, a dedicated Minister for Loneliness and Social Connection, a new Centre for Social Connection, a ‘loneliness levy’ on the profits of social media companies and a Community Power Act.
Robin Hewings, Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: “Tackling loneliness has never been more important… It’s vital the next government builds on this and makes tackling loneliness a key priority.”
Sam Dalton, Head of Campaigns and Policy at The Cares Family, concluded: “Our crisis of social disconnection is impacting our society in a number of detrimental ways. We need to act, and we need to act now.”
The Cares Family has called on the two main political parties to make strengthening social connection a priority in the UK and adopt the five policy recommendations set out in the report ‘Building Connection: A Manifesto’. Cross-party support has been expressed by MPs Kim Leadbeater and Tracey Crouch. The recommendations include a refreshed loneliness and social connection strategy, a dedicated Minister for Loneliness and Social Connection, a new Centre for Social Connection, a ‘loneliness levy’ on the profits of social media companies and a Community Power Act.
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