I would like to place on record my thanks to the committee clerks and all those who gave evidence to our committee during the course of our inquiry, and to our dedicated Chair. It is a sad indictment of our society when you consider that around one in five of people in Wales are lonely. Over half of people aged over 25 live alone and research by Age UK found that many older people can go five or six days without speaking to a single person. Research shows that loneliness and social isolation are as damaging to our health as smoking three quarters of a pack of cigarettes a day. Loneliness increases the chances of an early death by around 45 per cent and is associated with an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke. Lonely individuals are also at higher risk of the onset of disability and also suicide.

In a work capacity, someone once said to me, 'You're asking me to confide in you and to tell you what is wrong, but you don't know of my yesterdays or even my todays, but you can help me maybe have a better tomorrow.' It is therefore incumbent upon us all to make people feel worth while and wanted. I was therefore delighted when our committee opted to undertake an inquiry into loneliness and isolation, given the real public health concerns.

Witnesses to our inquiry all underlined the health impacts of loneliness and isolation as well as outlining the myriad causes of and contributory factors to loneliness and isolation. One thing was clear: although loneliness can strike at any age, it is particularly heartfelt in our older population. Closure of post offices, banks, local shops, community services, public toilets, and the growing trend to automation have all contributed to a situation whereby many older people go days and weeks without speaking to another human being.

We also learnt of the fantastic work being undertaken by voluntary groups across Wales to address loneliness and end isolation by providing a whole raft of activities and support services—Men's Sheds, for example. Whether it's Ffrind i Mi in south-east Wales, Welcome Visitor at Home in south-west Wales, Ponthafren in mid Wales, or Contact the Elderly in north Wales, these organisations, and hundreds like them, plug the gaps left by our shrinking social care sector. They are pivotal in addressing loneliness and isolation. It is our job to ensure that these groups are supported and funded to continue doing what they do, across every part of Wales.

Our committee recommended that the Welsh Government works with the voluntary sector and local government to secure the funding stability needed by these organisations by introducing three-year funding programmes. I had hoped the Welsh Government would fully accept all six of our recommendations. It is therefore disappointing that the Welsh Government could not fully commit to this recommendation. You accept that short-term funding can be costlier, but wish the flexibility to make short-term decisions. Short-term decisions based on financial pressures are just the sort of decisions we have to move away from.

Welsh Government are proud of their invest-to-save programme. Well, the London School of Economics have undertaken research that shows that every £1 invested in addressing loneliness and isolation can save £3 in costs to our NHS. These voluntary organisations are a lifeline to our older people and deserve Government support. I urge the Welsh Government to reconsider and to accept all of our recommendations. Diolch yn fawr.