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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Funds due for more primary places | Funds due for more primary places |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The government is expected to announce an extra £200m this week to provide new primary school places in parts of England struggling with shortages. | The government is expected to announce an extra £200m this week to provide new primary school places in parts of England struggling with shortages. |
| London and the West Midlands have been hardest hit. Rising birth rates and the recession reducing numbers in private education are being blamed. | London and the West Midlands have been hardest hit. Rising birth rates and the recession reducing numbers in private education are being blamed. |
| The shortage most affects places for four and five-year-olds. | The shortage most affects places for four and five-year-olds. |
| A report earlier this year by London Councils said there was a shortfall of 2,250 places in this financial year. | A report earlier this year by London Councils said there was a shortfall of 2,250 places in this financial year. |
| That would rise to 5,000 next year and to 18,300 by 2014, the councils said. | That would rise to 5,000 next year and to 18,300 by 2014, the councils said. |
| The report said 25 of the capital's 33 authorities were experiencing capacity problems or were expected to within two to three years. | The report said 25 of the capital's 33 authorities were experiencing capacity problems or were expected to within two to three years. |
| In England's worst-hit areas, councils have been building temporary classrooms or making plans to expand schools. | In England's worst-hit areas, councils have been building temporary classrooms or making plans to expand schools. |
| It is clear that some [local authorities] simply did not plan for the rise in local birth rates Department for Children Schools and Families | It is clear that some [local authorities] simply did not plan for the rise in local birth rates Department for Children Schools and Families |
| In Birmingham, there are plans for more than 1,400 new primary places. | In Birmingham, there are plans for more than 1,400 new primary places. |
| The National Union of Teachers says too many schools were closed when the birth rate was falling, meaning there is no capacity in the system now. | The National Union of Teachers says too many schools were closed when the birth rate was falling, meaning there is no capacity in the system now. |
| The government has previously criticised councils, saying they had not planned ahead properly when population projections were available. | The government has previously criticised councils, saying they had not planned ahead properly when population projections were available. |
| The London borough of Richmond says there was no way it could have predicted the 8% reduction in the number of children being educated privately. | The London borough of Richmond says there was no way it could have predicted the 8% reduction in the number of children being educated privately. |
| A spokesman for the Department for Children Schools and Families said: "Local authorities are under a legal duty to ensure sufficient school places are available to meet parental demand across their areas - with the record capital investment in schools since 1997 based on their pupil projections. | A spokesman for the Department for Children Schools and Families said: "Local authorities are under a legal duty to ensure sufficient school places are available to meet parental demand across their areas - with the record capital investment in schools since 1997 based on their pupil projections. |
| "But we know that specific areas, including some in London, now say that they are dealing with unanticipated rises in demand for reception classes over the next few years. | "But we know that specific areas, including some in London, now say that they are dealing with unanticipated rises in demand for reception classes over the next few years. |
| 'Exceptional rises' | 'Exceptional rises' |
| "It is clear that some simply did not plan for the rise in local birth rates, despite having four years to provide the extra places needed. | "It is clear that some simply did not plan for the rise in local birth rates, despite having four years to provide the extra places needed. |
| "But we accept others face exceptional rises in demand for new primary places through a range of local circumstances, which will put great pressures on their capital funding over the next two years. | "But we accept others face exceptional rises in demand for new primary places through a range of local circumstances, which will put great pressures on their capital funding over the next two years. |
| "We have been working closely with individual authorities and representative bodies including London Councils, the Association of London Directors of Children's Services, on how to assist those with the greatest needs - and we plan to set out the next steps in full to Parliament very shortly." | "We have been working closely with individual authorities and representative bodies including London Councils, the Association of London Directors of Children's Services, on how to assist those with the greatest needs - and we plan to set out the next steps in full to Parliament very shortly." |