Jo Cox famously said, “I will not live in a country where thousands of people are living lonely lives forgotten by the rest of us.”
Throughout her life, Jo championed the issue of loneliness, recognising it as a serious challenge affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. Together with Seema Kennedy, she established the cross-party Commission on Loneliness, which brought together charities, businesses, and policymakers to drive national action. That work led to the UK becoming the first country in the world to publish a government strategy on loneliness: A Connected Society and to the appointment of the world’s first Minister for Loneliness.
Whenever we speak to international colleagues, they’re often struck by the fact that the UK has a Minister for Loneliness, something still relatively rare around the world. It’s a reminder of how far Jo Cox’s legacy has travelled, and how the UK’s recognition of loneliness as a public policy issue has inspired conversations globally. The existence of that ministerial role signals that tackling loneliness isn’t just a matter of personal wellbeing, but a question of national policy, social connection, and public health.
Seven years on, we can be proud of the progress made, from growing awareness to more embedded approaches across sectors. But loneliness remains widespread, persistent, and deeply unequal in its impact. Tackling it requires renewed focus, leadership, and investment at every level of society.
The Ongoing Challenge
Despite this progress, loneliness remains a major challenge. Around 1 in 4 adults say they feel lonely some or all of the time, and rates are even higher among young people, disabled people, and those on low incomes. Structural issues from digital exclusion to insecure housing and the cost of living crisis continue to shape people’s ability to connect. While awareness has improved, the challenge now lies in ensuring that every sector embeds connection as a priority, not an afterthought.
Looking Ahead
Since Jo first shone a national spotlight on loneliness, awareness has grown enormously. The UK became the first country in the world to appoint a Minister for Loneliness in 2018, and since then we’ve seen loneliness embedded in policy areas from health and social care to transport and community development. The Loneliness Strategy encouraged cross-sector collaboration, while local authorities, businesses, and charities have begun to take loneliness seriously as a public health and social cohesion issue.
At the Jo Cox Foundation, we know that stronger social connections can help build a more compassionate and cohesive society, one that reflects Jo’s belief that “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.”
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, the challenge is to renew momentum and ensure loneliness once again becomes a national priority. The new government represents an opportunity to re-energise leadership on loneliness and to build on the foundations already laid and bring fresh focus, collaboration, and commitment across departments.
With the tenth anniversary of Jo Cox’s death approaching in June 2026, this is also a moment to reflect on how far her legacy has come and to reaffirm our collective commitment to building the more connected, compassionate country she believed in.
Earlier this year, with support from The Astra Foundation, the Jo Cox Foundation convened a Loneliness Policy Action Group, bringing together organisations across the sector to identify shared priorities for the next phase of national action. Working with the wider loneliness sector and the APPG on Tackling Loneliness and Connected Communities, the group will develop evidence-based recommendations to help the new government renew momentum and deliver meaningful progress on loneliness.
Through this work and our wider partnerships across sectors, the Foundation will continue to ensure that loneliness stays firmly on the national agenda. Tackling loneliness is not only an individual experience to be understood, but a shared challenge that can only be solved together.
To find out more about the Loneliness Policy Group or to get involved in our work on loneliness policy, please contact [email protected]