PENSIONERS have been left “outraged” after being told vulnerable meals on wheels users must fork out an extra 25p a day from November.

Essex County Council bosses have ditched plans to completely axe the meals on wheels subsidy.

But the 1,003 residents who use the service will be forced to pay 25p extra per meal – £65 a year for those who have five meals a week.

Michael Le Cornu, chairman of the Tendring Pensioners’ Action Group, said he was “outraged” by the decision to cut the subsidy while county councillors enjoyed £68,549 of free meals at County Hall over the past two years.

“We are against any cuts to the subsidy whatsoever,” he said.

“The councillors making these decisions get free meals at County Hall, while cutting meals on wheels subsidies.

“Some of the people are on their own and are the most vulnerable in our community.

“I know it’s all part of the austerity measures, but it’s absolutely disgraceful that they would even consider this, let alone implement it.”

Essex County Council had considered axing the whole subsidy, which meant residents could have been asked to pay 84p a day more for their meals.

It would have pushed the price of each meal up from £3.95 to £4.79 – a hike of £220 a year. But the 84p subsidy will now be cut to 59p, meaning each meal costs £4.20.

Labour county councillor Ivan Henderson said the rise will still hit vulnerable elderly people hard.

He said: “The county council’s Tory cabinet could begin the run up to Christmas by increasing the cost of Meals on Wheels while dining free of charge at County Hall.

“I’m sure they will also have the heating turned up in the members’ dining room to make sure it is nice and warm while they eat.

“Their treatment of the elderly and vulnerable is callous beyond belief.” 

Anne Brown, cabinet member for adult social care, said cutting the subsidy by 25p will save the county council £66,800 over the next year.

She said: “I am delighted that we have been able to protect this service, allowing older residents across the county to have access to an affordable hot meal.

“Essex County Council is faced with significant financial pressures and we have had to review the subsidy the council currently pays towards these meals.

“Ultimately this is good news for service users and shows we have truly listened to consultation feedback.

“The costs remain extremely low and affordable, and have only increased by 45p in the last seven years.”