In a first, British Prime Minister Theresa May has appointed Tracey Crouch as the
country’s Minister for Loneliness.
Crouch is the current junior Minister for Sport and Civil Society.
The appointment is one of the recommendations made by a commission set up in
honour of Jo Cox, a Labour MP.
Cox, who campaigned about loneliness, was murdered by a right wing extremist in
2016.
The government said it would develop a strategy on the issue, gather more evidence
and statistics, and provide funding for community groups to start activities which
connect people.
The prime minister was expected to formally announce the appointment yesterday and
said she has accepted many of the recommendations made by the commission.
“For far too many people, loneliness is the sad reality of modern life,” May said.
“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.”
www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/01/18/uk-appoints-minister-for-loneliness/