Age Concern says it welcomes some of the commitments made by Mrs Beecroft.

A spokesman said: ’Age Concern Isle of Man’s purpose in raising the future of Meals on Wheels is to ensure that older people living in their own homes who need help to get a meal receive that support and that they have social contact and wellbeing checks to keep them safe and well.

’Age Concern IoM will be continuing to speak and listen to the older people who currently use the Meals on Wheels service to be responsive to their views and wishes.’

The spokesman said the charity welcomed a commitment from Mrs Beecroft to ensure that a number of ways of accessing a regular meal were in place and to work with users to make that choice, as well as supporting existing service users to choose the most suitable alternative.

The charity also welcomed the confirmation the department was aware of the most vulnerable people in receipt of the service and the news that individual assessments would be carried out and the DHSC’s commitment to send information to all current users.