Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 17 December 2025
17 Dec 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Loneliness (Health Impacts)
Health and Social Care
Humza Yousaf mentioned the excellent example of SWAMP in our city, and it was great to hear that the minister visited the Willowacre Trust. Such organisations are critical, because around 60 per cent of Scots over the age of 50 experience loneliness most or all of the time, particularly at this time of year. The concern is that the funding of local organisations is so precarious that they do not know from one year to the next whether they will be able to continue their services.
Another example is the Alive and Kicking project in Springburn, which is putting on a special Hogmanay party for elderly people in the area, but it has just been through a hugely onerous process to secure three-year funding.
In the same item of business
1. Humza Yousaf (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP)
SNP
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the health impacts of loneliness. (S6O-05299)
The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur)
SNP
We recognise that loneliness can affect anyone, with negative impacts on health and wellbeing. It can be particularly difficult at this time of year. Our soc...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
I thank the minister for that comprehensive response. He references the important health impacts that loneliness can have on an individual. It can quite lite...
Tom Arthur
SNP
I thank Humza Yousaf for raising that important issue. I join him in recognising how vital community projects are in helping to reduce isolation and loneline...
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I declare an interest as a practising NHS general practitioner. For many people, Christmas is a time to enjoy precious moments with family and friends and r...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We will need greater brevity in questions.
Tom Arthur
SNP
I thank Dr Gulhane for his question and for raising those important matters. We actively engage with SAMH. I had the privilege of visiting the nook in Glasgo...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Humza Yousaf mentioned the excellent example of SWAMP in our city, and it was great to hear that the minister visited the Willowacre Trust. Such organisation...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Please ask a question.
Paul Sweeney
Lab
Will the minister do more to work with health and social care partnerships to ensure that the benefits of such services from a public health perspective are ...
Tom Arthur
SNP
The member raises important points about security of funding and its importance in enabling organisations to plan strategically. That is exactly why we have ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We will need greater brevity in questions.