Health Minister Kate Beecroft will be called upon to give a House of Keys statement explaining her decision to cut her department’s funding of Age Concern’s Meals on Wheels service.

Former department member Rob Callister has tabled an emergency question – the agenda for Tuesday’s sitting had already been published when the announcement was made – asking Mrs Beecroft to give a statement.

Age Concern said it was shocked after the sudden withdrawal of funding for the lifeline service.

Health chiefs announced yesterday they were ending the £150,000-a-year contract with Age Concern to provide the service. Funding will stop in the middle of winter, from January 12,

The charity said 300 people rely on the service, many of them aged 90-102. It also said the decision was made without any consultation.