Cost-of-living crisis could contribute to loneliness in Rotherham says report

A report to Rotherham Council’s health and wellbeing board states that people “may have to choose between loneliness and friendship” as increasing costs prevent them from socialising with friends and family.

The report adds that some people are still afraid to go out into social situations such as the pub, and adds that loneliness has been linked to health issues like coronary heart disease, stroke, depression, cognitive decline, and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, and that people experiencing loneliness are more likely to place a higher demand on public services, for example by visiting their GP and A&E more often.

Research from the Campaign to End Loneliness found that 3.3 million people living in Britain were ‘chronically lonely’ (or felt lonely all the time) between December 2021 and February 2022 – and around one million younger people aged 16-29 were chronically lonely.

There are concerns that as winter takes hold and inflation rises, the loneliness epidemic may worsen.

The Office of National Statistics found that 68 per cent of adults said their costs of living had increased and reported spending less on non-essentials.

The Rotherham Loneliness Action Plan aims to tackle the issue amongst residents in the borough, and was first introduced in 2020 to help solitary residents though the pandemic.

However, the report adds that funding for loneliness and isolation support is an “ongoing issue”, and suggests a number of actions to better tackle the issue.