The government is expected to announce an extra £200m this week to provide new primary school places in parts of England struggling with shortages.

A report earlier this year by London Councils said there was a shortfall of 2,250 places in this financial year. The Councils believe this would rise to 5,000 next year, and to 18,300 by 2014.

The report said 25 of the capital's 33 authorities were experiencing capacity problems or were expected to within two to three years. London and the West Midlands have been hardest hit, with rising birth rates and the recession reducing numbers in private education being blamed. In England's worst-hit areas, councils have been building temporary classrooms or making plans to expand schools.

Ministers have come up with the cash to fast-track buildings, but no new classrooms will be available by September. Thousands of children have already been allocated a school many miles from their family home.

The extra £200m, however, won’t be easily accessible to councils as they will have to first explain why, four years after birthrates started rising, they have not already acted to increase capacity.