The Department for Education has rejected outright claims advanced today by the Labour Party that England faces a crisis shortfall of 120,000 primary school places from September.

Analysis of statistics issued today by the Labour Party is based on a comparison of a forecast by spending watchdogs the National Audit Office that the primary school population will burgeon by an extra 230,000 places this year, with Coalition estimates that local authorities are set to increase capacity by 110,000 places.

In response the Department for Education robustly dismissed the 120,000 shortfall figure as ‘simplistic' and based on a ‘totally flawed calculation'.

‘In fact, our latest survey shows that there are around 400,000 surplus primary school places across the country and we expect a further 110,000 extra places to be created by September,' a DfE spokeswoman said

The Labour Party further claimed councils across the country are being forced to take desperate measures to meet demand on school places. Among examples, Barking and Dagenham LBC is planning to rent out a vacant Woolworth's store and a warehouse from MFI to house temporary classes.

In one Manchester primary school, 400 pupils must take lunch in five shifts and Brighton Council is considering use of a football stadium, bingo hall or disused churches as emergency buildings in which to teach students.

Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said Labour proposed solving the problem by ensuring primary schools were built where needed and abolishing the Free Schools programme – where a third of schools are being established in areas without a shortage of places.

‘Parents will face a summer of worry because of the primary schools crisis,' Mr Twigg said.

‘All they want is a good, local primary school for their child.  Instead they will have to scramble for a place,' he said.