An urgent shortage of primary school places have been reported by London councils fuelled by a baby boom and the effects of the recession.

Parents are now choosing local schools instead of fleeing the capital once their children have reached school age, due to the freeze in the housing market.

London Councils, who campaign on behalf of the capital’s boroughs, have compiled a report which reveals a 2,250 shortage of places for September, rising to over 5,000 next year.  The report states the shortages are due to a baby boom since 2001, they also believe the economic downturn is to blame because fewer parents are choosing to place their children in independent schools, meaning increased pressure on the state sector.

From the 25 authorities reporting shortages, the majority need between seven and 13 additional new forms to meet demand. However, one unnamed borough forecasts the need of 25 additional classes.

Temporary buildings have already been forced into place to manage the rise in numbers. It was revealed that 25 of the 33 London boroughs face a shortage of places, which they warn will rise to 18,300 places by 2014.