Millions of Brits can expect to spend the Christmas period by themselves this year, with new figures demonstrating the shocking amount of people who live alone in the UK.

According to the AA, millions of Brits are set to see the winter months through alone and isolated from friends and family. Research shows that around 7.5 million people in the UK live alone, and a further 15% don’t know any of their neighbours.

This could make situations extremely stressful and difficult should anything happen to them whilst at home. One in five over 65-year olds live on their own, with one in 10 having no friends or family within a five mile radius.

The AA is calling for a return of community spirit and is urging people to take a greater interest in the welfare of their neighbours, especially during the winter months when people can become very isolated.

The elderly suffer the most from this as the study found that around 1.9 million over 65-year olds live alone. A staggering 3% of them have no family or friends at all that could help them during a home emergency. Despite this, 37% of them are concerned about the heating breaking down.

Tom Stringer, Head of AA Home Emergency Response, said; “With the winter nights closing in, people naturally become more concerned about the possible effects of winter weather on their homes. Over the past few decades, families have moved further apart and it seems neighbourly attitudes have declined to the extent where many people wouldn’t even recognise a lot of their neighbours nowadays.

“This means many people will spend this winter living alone in their homes with no family or neighbours close by should they suffer a home emergency.”

It would be advisable to take out adequate home insurance so that you are covered for any nasty surprises this winter, especially if you are elderly and live alone.