Veterans’ groups have condemned the withdrawal of government funding for Meals on Wheels.

Health Minister Kate Beecroft has rubbished suggestions that ending the £159,000 a year contract with Age Concern to supply Meals on Wheels would put the vulnerable elderly at risk.

But Major Charles Wilson, vice chairman of the Royal British Legion and president of the Manx Legion Club, said veterans groups are very concerned.

He said: ’On behalf of the aged community of which the veterans are a part, the Royal British Legion is very, very concerned about the withdrawal of Meals on Wheels.

’There has been no consultation from government on the matter with the parties that may be concerned which includes the charities that support the aged.

’If £150,000 is the cost, we are merely nibbling at the edges - it is not a lot of money.’

He said the Legion’s concerns centre on three areas - nutritional, social care and support and the fact that Meals on Wheels is a contact for many older people - sometimes their only contact in a day.

Major Wilson explained: ’That’s something people often forget.

’A lot of the aged population are housebound and visits by Meals of Wheels is a contact.

’The Royal British Legion try to make sure our veterans are looked after by visiting them. But there are many others who are not veterans.’

He said that ’as yet’ there appears to be no alternative offer from government, adding: ’January 12 when the service is due to close is just around the corner’.

Veterans’ groups were successful in forcing a U-turn over the scrapping of free TV licences for the over-75s - and Major Wilson hopes a similar change of heart can be achieved over Meals on Wheels.

He said: ’We are putting our aged community in a worrying situation in the run-up to Christmas when we should be rejoicing and when it should be especially a time of caring.

’We’ve had a sensible decision made with regard to the TV licence for over-75s and that’s working well.

’We must look to do something that will be a success for Meals on Wheels. We need to be caring society. We are looking for a positive solution for our older people.’

Age Concern delivered about 66,000 meals last year. It charges customers £3.50 for a main meal and dessert and receives net income from the service of up to £82,000 a year.

Health and Social Care Minister Kate Beecroft has announced changes to a number of her department’s services.

The Department of Health and Social Care told iomtoday that its catering services division billed Age Concern a little over £156,000 in 2016-17 for the meals it supplied - that’s just short of the £158,891 a year subsidy that the DHSC paid the charity.