Adult social care in London will face a funding gap of more than £500 million by 2025, according to research by London Councils.

Despite the savings boroughs have already made, a growing and ageing population will put unsustainable pressure on services in the capital, the report found.

Adult social care supports those with physical or learning disabilities, mental or physical illnesses – from nursing home places to help with cooking, cleaning, and other essential tasks.

But services in the capital are under strain – London’s population is growing faster than anywhere else in the UK, and is expected to cross 10 million by 2035.

And while Londoners are younger than the national average, the city will face the fastest increase in over 65s of any region in the next 20 years, increasing pressure on social care.

London will also see the biggest increase in younger people with learning disabilities, impaired mobility, and multiple psychiatric disorders, according to London Councils’ analysis.

With less funding from central government, London boroughs have saved £480 million on adult social care between 2015 and 2018 – but the report suggests there is no more room for cutbacks.

London already has the lowest satisfaction rate in the country for adult social care, with just 59 percent of people happy with the support they get. And vulnerable Londoners also feel more isolated than people in any other region.

London Councils is calling on the Government to meet the gap in funding in long-term funding, which they believe will be £540 million by 2025.

Councillor Ray Puddifoot, leader of Hillingdon Council, and London Councils’ executive member for health and care, said he was proud of the work done to save money in the city.

He said: “Adult social care services are essential for meeting Londoners’ needs and supporting their wellbeing, but they’re also critical to the performance and sustainability of the NHS in the capital.”

He added: “The sector has shown itself capable of adapting, innovating, and achieving impressive efficiencies – even in the face of a highly-challenging financial environment.

“However, the capital’s growing population means more and more Londoners need social care. It’s vital that services get the resources they need to cope with increasing levels of demand.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Health and Social Care said: “We have given local authorities access to nearly £4 billion more dedicated funding for adult social care this year, and a further £410 million is available for adults and children’s services. The Prime Minister is committed to fixing the social care system and we will outline proposals as soon as possible.”