One of the key architects of Britain\u2019s welfare state would have added loneliness as society\u2019s sixth \u201cgiant evil\u201d if he were alive today, Rachel Reeves will say after completing a year-long study into the issue.<\/p>\n
The Labour MP, who co-chaired the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness after her friend and colleague was murdered last year, will argue that the weakening of trade union, church, local pub and workplace ties have left a disconnected society.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the culture and the communities that once connected us to one another disappear, we can be left feeling abandoned and cut off from society,\u201d she will say, describing the issue as a new social epidemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the last few decades, loneliness has escalated from personal misfortune into a social epidemic. More and more of us live alone. We work at home more. We spend a greater part of our day alone than we did 10 years ago. It sometimes feels like our best friend is the smartphone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Loneliness is a 'giant evil' of our time, says Jo Cox commission https:\/\/t.co\/mcDWkKNkd8<\/a><\/p>\n — Guardian news (@guardiannews) December 10, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n