LONELINESS is a problem for hundreds of people who receive social care, according to official figures.

In an NHS survey of people using social care, 55 per cent said they had not had as much contact as they wanted with people they like in 2017-18 compared with seven years ago, the earliest period with available data.

Charities fighting against loneliness and for elderly people’s rights called on the Government to increase the funding for social care workers and community services.

In Brighton and Hove, there were 380 social care users surveyed last year, 211 of who felt lonely, according to Public Health England estimates.

Many people receiving social care are elderly, while there are also some younger adults with disabilities.

The survey questioned those over 18 receiving long-term support funded or managed by social services.

The percentage in Brighton who wanted more contact was above the average for England, where the proportion was 54 per cent.

Nationally, more elderly people in the survey were affected by loneliness – 57 per cent of those over 75 compared with 41 per cent of the young adults between 25 and 34 years.

On average, 55 per cent of women wanted more company, compared with 52 per cent of men.

Laura Alcock-Ferguson, executive director of the charity Campaign To End Loneliness, said loneliness troubles will rise in the coming years and urged co-ordinated action to tackle them.

She said: “Loneliness can have a devastating impact on physical and mental health, comparable to obesity, smoking and depression.

“We want to see the Government invest in social care to empower those on the frontline to build connections with social care users and have the time to tackle loneliness. An extra few minutes per person to have a chat could make a big difference.

“It pays off to tackle loneliness too. Our research shows that for every £1 invested in loneliness you can save £3 in health costs – which will have a positive impact on social care too.”

Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK said: “Paid carers are under huge time pressure and often don’t have time for the niceties. This is very sad for older people who use care, many of whom are living alone and find it hard to get out and meet people.

“Moreover, many older people receiving care tell us there is no continuity in the paid carers who come to help them and this also reduces the chances of building a proper relationship. This situation is also pretty soul-destroying for the paid carers, reducing their job satisfaction and making it less likely they will want to stay.

“When underfunding makes care an increasingly transactional affair, rather than relationship based, everyone loses out and loneliness among older people is sure to rise.”

The Government has recognised loneliness as one of the main challenges faced by society. GPs in England will be able to refer patients experiencing loneliness to community activities and voluntary services by 2023.

Three quarters of GPs surveyed by said they see one to five people a day suffering with loneliness, which is linked to conditions including heart disease, strokes and Alzheimer’s.

Official estimates point out that around 200,000 older people have not had a conversation with a friend or relative in more than a month.

Last year, the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission (named in memory of the murdered Labour MP) said that loneliness affects 9 million people in the UK, and being lonely is as bad for the average person’s health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day.