Loneliness is a common issue rather that those older people surveyed reported in the UK comparatively lower rates of feeling “always or often” lonely. Whilst the research does not Findings from the general public survey also categorically evidence the reasons for this lower indicate that loneliness is something that most reported prevalence, it does suggest that older people in the public have experienced to some age groups were significantly more likely to know degree, and that many people in the public are where to turn for support if they were experiencing dealing with loneliness at a level that may have loneliness and our expert witnesses also noted some negative impact on their life experience. that current loneliness services tended to focus on Around half of UK adults surveyed feel lonely older age groups. ‘sometimes’ or more often; it is an experience that many people can relate to. More worryingly, 18% Self-reported loneliness was higher than average feel lonely ‘always’ or ‘often’. Whilst the survey did (18% among the general population) for 5 of our 6 not capture any measure of perceived harm or target groups (it should be noted that respondents impairment – and is certainly not intended to serve could be in more than one of these groups), and as a ‘diagnosis’ of loneliness – this represents a in fact 73% of those who claimed to be ‘always’ surprising degree of loneliness in the UK public. or ‘often’ lonely belonged to one of the research target groups. Percentages of people ‘always’ Though some groups, such as 16-24 year olds, or ‘often’ lonely were highest for those who were those living on their own, and those in the DE recently divorced or separated (33%); had long- 10 social grades were more likely to express feelings term physical / mental health conditions (32%); of loneliness, this was least evident among those were people with mobility issues (30%); people aged 55 and over (and within this slightly, but not with limited access to transport (29%); people significantly, lower levels were recorded by those experiencing bereavement in the last two years aged 70 and over – 6% compared to 11% among 112 (19%); and parents of young children (32%). those aged 55-69). This does not suggest that those aged 55 and over are less lonely but Whilst there was still evidence of self-reported loneliness among those aged 55 and over, among those in this group who are either retired, or do not 10 Social grading is a standard classification based on the occupation of the chief income earner in a household. Those in the DE social grades are generally working in semi-skilled or unskilled 112Base sizes for this group were very small given low incidence in manual occupations, retired, or entirely dependent on the general population; further work would need to be conducted to state benefits. confirm prevalence of loneliness. Figure 3. Prevalence of loneliness in the UK general public Higher % always/often among: 1 4 16-24 – 32% 20 14 Children in household – 22% DE social grade* – 24% People living on own – 26% 18 Always Often Lower % always/often among: (% always/often) 55+ – 10% Sometimes 28 34 Rarely No difference in % always/often by: Never Gender, urban/rural, region Don't know Source Q1: How often do you feel lonely, if at all. Base: All UK adults aged 16+ (2,523). Loneliness is an important issue for the UK 17