Thousands more primary school places will be provided in London with a £300 million government boost.
Education Secretary Michael Gove was announcing today that the capital will get half of a £600 million national fund for extra places.
It follows a lobbying campaign by Mayor Boris Johnson with London Councils chairman Jules Pipe, who has warned the capital faces a huge shortfall in the coming years.
London Councils believes the real cost of meeting the capital’s shortage is £1.7 billion. The extra funding announced today will go to those local authorities most in need of more primary places.
There will be more than 100,000 extra pupils in London schools in 2014 compared with the end of last year.
London Councils warned last year that up to 11,000 pupils, mainly in Reception to Year 2 classes, are being taught in temporary classrooms because local authorities have received insufficient funding for permanent places.
Mr Johnson welcomed today’s news but said more must be done, and he would continue to lobby because “London is the place in greatest need at the moment”.
Munira Mirza, his adviser on culture and youth, said the shortage was “acute”, adding: “Parents throughout the capital often struggle to find a good school place for their child, so this news will make a big difference to them, and the future of our young people.”
