Britain appoints first Minister of Loneliness
In a first for the UK cabinet, the Minister for Loneliness will be tasked with tackling the social issue of loneliness that affects 9 million Britons.
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| UK Loneliness Minister Tracey Crouch. Photo: NBC |
TelegraphBritish Prime Minister Theresa May announced on January 17 that she appointed Tracey Crouch as Minister for Loneliness.
"For many people, loneliness is a sad fact of modern life. I want to tackle this issue for the good of society and all of us, to help the elderly, the lonely, those who have lost loved ones... overcome loneliness. These are people who have no one to talk to, no one to share their thoughts and experiences with," said British Prime Minister Theresa May.
Mrs May's decision to appoint a Minister for Loneliness follows recommendations from the parliamentary Commission on Loneliness, which was first initiated by MP Jo Cox, who was murdered before the 2016 EU referendum.
“Jo Cox knows all about the levels of loneliness across the country and is dedicated to doing everything she can to help those affected,” said Prime Minister Theresa May.
According to the British Red Cross, more than 9 million of the UK's 65 million people say they always or often feel lonely. Meanwhile, scientific research shows that loneliness can have a negative impact on human health.
