Some of Swindon’s most vulnerable people say they face the choice between eating and paying for a service that will help them if they are in urgent need, one councillor told his colleagues.

Labour councillor Will Stone introduced a motion to the full council to try and get the price paid by residents for Homeline - a service they can call if they need assistance at home - frozen during the cost-of living crisis.

It said: “Homeline is an essential service to many and has considerable benefits to residents’ safety.

"The council has a moral duty to care for the vulnerable within the borough. Keeping residents able to live safely in their own homes in fact represents a financial saving for the council due to not having to provide full-time residential care.

"This council requests that the cabinet members with responsibilities for finance and Adult Health and Social Care write a joint report to Cabinet to consider freezing the current cost of Homeline until such a time that this council recognises the cost-of-living crisis we are currently in has abated, with the situation to be reviewed no later than at six-month intervals.”

Coun Stone said: “Multiple residents have contacted me expressing fears about the increases in Homeline costs.

“This is a vital safety net for the most vulnerable in Swindon, we should not impose an extra burden on those struggling now.”

He referred to one elderly man who told him that his choice this winter would be between keeping Homeline or eating.

The motion was seconded by the Conservative cabinet member for adults’ services Brian Ford, who noted that it was Coun Cathy Martyn, the member for housing who is responsible for the service – but she was absent, and Homeline also impacted on his portfolio.

He said: “Homeline is an essential service. People from Homeline go out every day and they literally pick people up from the floor.

“It also saves this council money. It allows people to come out of hospital and go back to their homes. Thousands of people with domiciliary care in their own homes need Homeline. If they didn’t have it they would have to be in a care home and that would cost us more.”

The motion was passed unanimously.

The cost of Homeline not as part of a care package in Swindon is £33.24 per calendar month for private homes and £20.56 per month for council tenants.

Before the meeting members of Unite had lobbied councillors as they arrived at the Civic Offices. Community co-ordinator for the South West Brett Sparkes said: “We are here to support the Labour motion.

"An increase above £33 per month we feel is extortionate, and for many people it’s a lifesaver literally, so we hope the motion to have the costs capped is agreed.