‘Winter of misery’ looms as Labour Council cuts start to bite

York’s Liberal Democrat councillors are warning that a ‘winter of misery’ looms for many of York’s older residents as cuts forced through by the Labour council start to bite. This has led to Age UK York having to cease its popular Day Clubs which provide an opportunity for social interaction and a range of activities at venues across the city.

In the 2024/25 council budget, Labour cut £264,000 from community contracts in order to “remove duplication and to generate efficiencies in services.” One of the contracts affected is Age UK York’s Older People Community Support Service. In their alternative budget, Liberal Democrat councillors proposed to reverse the £264,000 cut, but this was opposed by the ruling Labour group. Lib Dem spokesperson for health and adult social care, Cllr Carol Runciman, has warned that the loss of the Day Clubs will put even greater pressures on the council’s finances.

Cllr Runciman said “The loss of the Day Clubs couldn’t have come at a worse time, with the Labour Government snatching away the Winter Fuel Allowance from millions of older people. Day Clubs not only offered an opportunity for social interaction, but also lunch and a place to keep warm during the winter months.

“When the council budget was debated earlier this year Lib Dem councillors pleaded with the Labour administration to think again and not make this cut, but they ignored us and the voices of all those residents for whom these services provide a real lifeline. All the evidence suggests that these services are great value for money and take vital pressure off services that the council provides. The Labour Executive called their own budget ‘heartbreaking’ but really ‘heartless’ is a more appropriate description.

“Transport to and from the Day Clubs has been a key part of the offer and this has provided residents with a sense of independence, particularly since York’s Dial & Ride service ended in December. I would urge the administration to quickly set out what it intends to do in response to the recommendation from the cross-party Dial & Ride scrutiny task group that a replacement community transport service should be put in place. This will be key to restoring the independence that so many older people have lost.”