The Campaign to End Loneliness is pleased to see Norman Lamb MP’s appointment as Minister of State for Care services, with his previous work and interest in health and care, and particularly his understanding of loneliness as a health issue among his constituency.

We look forward to working together with the new Minister to take forward the opportunities for government to tackle loneliness in older age within the Care and Support White Paper.

The Campaign also thanks Paul Burstow MP for his distinctive contribution that he made to addressing loneliness in older age as Minister of State for Care Services in 2012.

If addressing loneliness in older age is to become a reality for the 900,000 people who face chronic loneliness, then it must be addressed within the new health and wellbeing boards that will receive statutory status from April 2013, and be backed by cross-government support from departments such as transport, business, communities and culture.