The Minister for Loneliness shares her thoughts.....

What about those of us who don't have family? I find most people don't want to have to rely on their families for help and company, why are there not more daytime clubs and activities for older people. There may be things in cities but not if you live in a rural area.

Fair enough Maggiemaybe. Good points.

I do not have any family- who should I go on holiday with?!!!

It’s probably more to do with how her ideas have been reported/headlined. Yes, it’s patronising to imply that all grandparents should be carted round with their families (whether they want to go or not, seems to be the sub-text ), but this was only a small part of the whole.

Had the article been slanted more towards the need to consider and include isolated and lonely older people (and there are plenty of them, some of the GN forums testify to that), which is what she’s advocating, it would have come over differently.

The Minister is an ex-carer, she will “have a clue”, and she’ll have seen a lot of loneliness and family neglect.

Why would I want to b with family who only invite me because the government tell them too - how depressing?

These people definitely live on different planets ! They haven't got a clue so should keep their mouths shut until they can say something worthwhile.

I don't know what these so-called ministers get paid for at all because none of them can get their positions right.

I find it exhausting going on holiday with the AC and GC!

Very patronising, unhelpful and I'm tempted to grumble about the money being spent on that, rather than on decent public services.

Quite! On both counts. Very patronising.

I don't actually want to go on holiday with my children and grandchildren but I would love the Panaches to be cared for properly.