Commission to tackle loneliness launched in memory of Jo Cox

A commission to tackle loneliness, campaigned for by MP Jo Cox before her death, has now been launched.

The commission, which is partnered with 13 charities, will come up with ideas for change and ask the government to tackle the issue of loneliness. 

The campaign will conduct research on a cross-section of people, including new mums, carers and the elderly, and present their findings to the government with suggestions for change. 

Jo Cox, who was the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was murdered last June outside her constituency.

The issue of loneliness was one Mrs Cox felt strongly about having suffered from loneliness when she went to university and was split up from her sister.

Age UK research has shown around 1.2 million older people are chronically lonely, meaning they have been feeling this way for years. 

Charity Director, Caroline Abrahams, says the statistic is illustrative of a ‘social crisis at the very heart of society.’

Speaking about the commission and Age UK’s involvement in it, Ms Abrahams commented: “We are honoured to be part of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness which we hope will have a big impact on the millions of people grappling with feelings of loneliness on a daily basis across the UK.

“It’s clear that loneliness can affect us all at any stage of life but older people are particularly at risk simply because they are more likely to experience deteriorating health and the death of a loved one. 

“Loneliness sucks the joy out of life and undermines our sense of self-worth. It can affect our mental, emotional and physical health and disconnect us from others. But whilst there is, unfortunately, no quick fix or single policy solution to eradicate loneliness, there are reasons to hope that we can change things for the better. 

“We firmly believe that if we all come together – MPs, local councillors, charities, businesses, health professionals and the general public – we genuinely stand a chance of tackling the scourge of loneliness that devastates the lives of so many.”