Lib Dems Slam Shock Increase for Meals On Wheels (Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats)

Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats <info@saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems Slam Shock Increase for Meals On Wheels

February 6, 2006 8:06 PM

The Conservatives at Essex County Council have announced a shocking 52% increase to its cost for meals on wheels, from £2.10 to £3.50. This will be the third price increase in a year. Last April, just before the county elections, meals were put up by just 5p, but since the elections there have been two big increases.

David Morson, who is the chair of Liberal Democrat-controlled Uttlesford District Council's Community Committee commented: "This increase is a total disgrace. In order to reduce council spending the County Council has targeted the most vulnerable, the elderly and disabled. The majority of those receiving these meals are over 75 years of age and are that section of the community who should be most cared for by local government."

"A consultation process took place with those receiving the meals, which we, as Liberal Democrats welcomed, only to find that the Conservative Administration on Essex County Council completely ignored its findings. In this survey nearly 60% of those asked stated that a sum of £3 per meal was the maximum they could afford to pay, yet the increase is above that figure."

He concluded by asking local people to make a comparison between Liberal Democrat prioritisation of the elderly and the disabled with Conservative reduction of commitment in budgetary terms.

He said: "This is another example of the Conservatives only paying lip service to involvement and consultation with local communities in policy making."