More than 100,000 people in London are over the age of 85. Numbers are increasing as a proportion of the population. 

Council tax is a big issue for the elderly. But as the 33 London Boroughs look 
to keep down council tax, there is an inevitable cut in services. 

In some cases, changes in the criteria mean that fewer people can access services. 

Other services, seen as less essential, are simply cut. 

One service that councils have reduced is the home-help service that supports old people for an hour or so each week. 

It is a service, not aimed at the ill or disabled, just the elderly who might need help. 

Without it, many older people, who do not need urgent attention, are left alone at home. 

Some charities fear there are more isolated old people in London communities than ever before. 

Politics Show London spent a day with Mo Smith who runs a project for in Putney and Roehampton called RISE (Reaching the Isolated Elderly). 

RISE has been operating for five years. 

Almost 75% of their funding comes from government and the rest from fund raising. 

It is one of only two projects in London that is aimed at the isolated elderly, rather than just the elderly in general. 

As Mo explains: "We are at crisis point. 

"Funding runs out in March 2006 and we have had no indication that this will continue." 

The majority of their clients are referred from social services or hospitals, but RISE still cannot reach everybody. 

Those who they do not find can become extremely lonely, isolated and go weeks or even months, without seeing anybody 

The home-help service is not only used to provide services like shopping, but also used to put people in touch with RISE. 

It was a way of seeing people are okay. 

Those who do use RISE's services are full of praise. 

William Gittings, 91, says "It is my second home here, keeps my brain working and stops me sitting at home, moaning and groaning" whilst Elsie Jackson, 91, believes "it keeps you going ... that is why I've reached 91" 
But instead, councils are looking to provide services for old people that will keep them active, like using swimming pools or libraries and looking to move away from day centres and lunchclubs. 

Whilst trying to help people be more active is a noble cause, the result is that other services to elderly have to come to a centre such as RISE. 

Mo has no doubts about what the problem is "if you look at Wandsworth with low council tax, the older people get sidelined" 

Care of the elderly is just one service which will be under pressure. 

Right now, across London as a whole, there will be a potential funding gap of around £400m which London councils will be facing next year. 

This will be coupled with a change in the way the grant formula will be formulated in the future resulting in an additional cut of £340m to London. 

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