A political row erupted in Shropshire today over the future of the Meals on Wheels provision in the county following claims by Liberal Democrat councillors of leaders “caving in”.

Lib Dem councillors claimed Shirehall leaders had caved in to public pressure and shelved plans to cut £200,000 from the service.

But members of the ruling Tory administration dismissed the claims as wrong.

The Lib Dem claim was made ahead of today’s Shropshire Council budget meeting at which campaigners were expected to voice strong concerns over moves to no longer provide daily hot meals to elderly and housebound people.

Instead the council proposes to save money by making a fortnightly delivery of frozen food, and will reinvest savings in support services for vulnerable people.

Lib Dem group leader Nigel Hartin said: “The administration have effectively adopted the amendment we proposed to full council that the £200,000 cut to the Meals on Wheels budget not be taken, to allow time for a full review.”

But Tory cabinet member for adult services Simon Jones said: “This claim by the Liberal Democrats is fundamentally wrong.

“We will look to reduce the costs – but not the quality – of the Meals on Wheels service, and will reinvest these savings in improvements to other social care services for older people.”