DOZENS of disabled and elderly people are due to stage an angry demonstration outside Southampton's council offices today in protest against controversial plans to means test their care.

Charges for home care services which enable people to get out of bed, go to the toilet and get dressed could rise by up to 30 per cent under Liberal Democrat budget plans, which could also see council tax rise by nearly five per cent.

The row centres on a revamp of council services provided to about 2,400 people in the city suffering from dementia, limb loss and a host of other debilitating conditions.

Under the new proposals, about 885 more people will be expected to pay as much as £35 extra per week for the vital services. About 748 would see their charges lower and a further 800 people would pay nothing.

About 24 disabled and elderly residents are expected to stage the demonstration outside Southampton's Civic Centre shortly before the meeting starts at 2pm.

Amanda Hames, campaigns development officer for the Hampshire Coalition of Disabled People, said: "These services enable disabled and older people to fulfil basic human rights. This is an unfair tax on disabled and older people's most basic right to live. "Imagine if you were taxed for using the toilet, having breakfast or just to get out of bed."

Meanwhile, city bosses are also looking in-house to make cuts in the budget.

They are planning to axe some of the water coolers used by staff for drinking and buy in cheaper water from elsewhere, saving £10,000 from the city's £40,000 water bill.

Other controversial measures planned in the city council's budget today include not replacing worn office furniture and clamping down on staff's use of mobile phones, saving city bosses a total of £170,000.

The measures come on top of plans revealed in the Daily Echo last week which could see meals on wheels charges raised from £2.65 to £2.95 for pensioners.

Other budget plans include the raising of concessionary bus fare charges from 30p to 40p and parking charges increased in the city.

The ruling Liberal Democrat group met with Labour leaders to negotiate on the forthcoming budget details on Monday night. Both parties are keeping tight-lipped about the details of the discussions.

Meanwhile, city insiders say that the mayor, Councillor Dennis Harryman, may move to end the budget meeting at midnight tonight.

It is understood that Cllr Harryman wishes to avoid a repetition of last year's council tax-setting meeting, which stretched over two days and nearly ended up with John Prescott running the city.