The percentage of people experiencing loneliness in the UK has increased, according to the latest figures.

After a year of lockdowns, social distancing, and restrictions on travel and gatherings, some groups of people have reported high rates of loneliness and poorer well-being in recent months.

Data collected by the Office for National Statistics has revealed how often people experience loneliness in the UK. 

Eastbourne had the highest rate in the county for people reporting feeling "often or always" lonely, with 8.85 per-cent. 

READ MORE: Sussex MP calls for work to stop sexual abuse between school children

READ MORE: Fareshare Sussex appealing for support to fund new warehouse

This was followed by Mid-Sussex where 7.9 per-cent of residents reported experiencing severe loneliness.

The third loneliest place in the whole of Sussex was Brighton and Hove with 7.61 per-cent of people feeling "often or always" lonely. 

The number of people feeling "often or always" lonely in East Sussex was 5.47 per-cent. 

Whilst 5.87 per-cent of people living in West Sussex felt lonely "often or always".

Loneliness across the UK:

Levels of loneliness in Great Britain have increased since spring 2020. 

Between 3 April and 3 May 2020, 5 per-cent of people (about 2.6 million adults) said that they felt lonely “often” or “always”.

However, this increased between October 2020 and February 2021 with more than 7 per-cent (about 3.7 million adults) of the adult population experiencing severe loneliness. 

Mapping trends across the country shows the types of places where a higher proportion of people felt lonely often or always, and differences in personal well-being.

Areas with a higher concentration of younger people (aged 16-24) and areas with higher rates of unemployment tended to have higher rates of loneliness during the study period (October 2020 to February 2021).

Percentage of people reporting “often or always” feeling lonely, Great Britain, 14 October 2020 to 22 February 2021:

 

If you or someone you know is experiencing loneliness, contact Together Co in Brighton or the British Red Cross for support.