Question reference: S6W-10139
- Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 4 August 2022
-
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 30 August 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in the last 12 months in order to tackle social isolation.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises that Social Isolation and Loneliness is a public health issue, which has been exacerbated because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between August 2021 and March 2022, £1 million was allocated by the Directorate for Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights to organisations working to tackle social isolation and loneliness. This funding has supported work including helplines, befriending, and practical support. Many of the 48 organisations funded through the Equality and Human Rights Fund (2021-2024) also make a valuable contribution to tackling social isolation.
In addition, £21 million has been spent in 2021-22 via the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, which helps to tackle priority issues including social isolation and loneliness. This fund has been continued for 2022-23 with a further £15 million.
A total of £48 million has been spent via the Connecting Scotland programme to improve connectedness through digital inclusion.
Tackling social isolation and loneliness is a shared responsibility across government and the wider public sector, as well as the private and third sectors. There is a range of work being carried out across Scottish Government which will also make a positive impact on social isolation and loneliness in the medium to longer term, and which will be referenced in the forthcoming Social Isolation and Loneliness Plan.