UK Prime Minister Theresa May has appointed a Minister of Loneliness.
Telegraph reports that the Minister for Sport and Civil Society, Tracey Crouch, will reportedly fill the role of heading the ministry.
The creation of the ministry is reported to honor the legacy of Labour MP Jo Cox, who May has described as one who wanted to “shine a light” on loneliness. Jo Cox Loneliness Commission, an organisation set up in honor of the late MP, recommended it to the government to make a minister responsible for the problem.
The British PM said:
For far too many people, loneliness is the sad reality of modern life.
I want to confront this challenge for our society and for all of us to take action to address the loneliness endured by the elderly, by carers, by those who have lost loved ones – people who have no one to talk to or share their thoughts and experiences with.
Jo Cox recognised the scale of loneliness across the country and dedicated herself to doing all she could to help those affected.
I am pleased that Government can build on her legacy with a ministerial lead for loneliness who will work with the Commission, businesses and charities to shine a light on the issue and pull together all strands of Government to create the first ever strategy.
