A commission to tackle the ‘silent epidemic’ of loneliness has been launched in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox

A COMMISSION to tackle the “silent epidemic” of loneliness has been launched in memory of the murdered MP Jo Cox.

The cross-party group made up of her former colleagues will look for practical solutions to reduce the harm being inflicted on individuals, families and the wider country.

2

Mrs Cox had been taking the first steps towards establishing such a commission when she was shot and stabbed to death last June by far-right extremist Thomas Mair in her Batley and Spen constituency in West Yorkshire.

Her sister, Kim Leadbeater, said "Jo was a doer, not a complainer. We want to continue that legacy by ridding society of loneliness one conversation at a time."

The launch, at Westminster, will highlight findings which suggest loneliness is far more widespread and imposes a greater cost on those affected than previously acknowledged.

2

Research by the organisations supporting the commission found more than nine million people privately admit they are "always or often lonely".

But two thirds would never confess to having a problem in public.

And it also describes how the British instinct to "put a brave face on it" is masking a social crisis which is only getting worse.

RELATED STORIES:

blue genes

Loneliness may be determined by our DNA, scientists discover

'THEY PUT A £5K BOUNTY ON MY HEAD'

Brexit campaigner Gina Miller fears she may have to leave UK over vile death threats

IN MEMORIAM

Britain can't be afraid to intervene around the world says report written by late MP Jo Cox

'WE ARE EXPECTED TO SUCK IT UP'

Female MPs reveal scale of threats with two-thirds feeling 'less safe' since Jo Cox' murder

In a joint statement, the commission's co-chairwomen, Labour MP Rachel Reeves and Conservative Seema Kennedy, called for a "national conversation" to highlight the scale of the problem.

"Loneliness is a silent epidemic across the UK," they said. "Now is the time to break that silence by starting a conversation. We need a national conversation about the scale and impact of the problem."

Ms Leadbeater told Jo would have loved the fact the commission is coming to fruition.

She said: "It's brilliant. Jo would have loved it. One of the things that Jo was really clear about was that there are issues that transcend party politics.

"It's important that people from all political persuasions come together and try to make a difference and I certainly agree with that. So she'd have been absolutely delighted."

The commission will publish its recommendations in December.