The birth rate in London has grown by 20.5 per cent since 2001/02, which is the fastest growth rate of any English region.
This, coupled with the recession, has caused unprecedented demand for primary school places. Fewer parents are paying for their children to attend independent schools, and fewer families are migrating out of London.
Stephen Ingram, executive head of service management for the London Borough of Sutton, said the council would have to fund an extra 90 primary school places for this September.
"One of the problems is how we fund this. If we're going to expand a school, it costs about £1m for 30 children," he said.
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