EDUCATION Secretary Michael Gove hasdismissedclaims that there would not be enough primary school places for pupils in two years’ time.

Mr Gove said there were no problems with primary school places this year and pledged that every child would have a good school place in years to come.

It came as council leaders warned a dramatic rise in demand could see some parts of England with more primary pupils than places in two years’ time.

Speaking as he officially opened Perry Beeches III free school in Birmingham with Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday, Mr Gove said: “We haven’t had what Labour predicted, which are problems with primary school places, even though they were the people who failed to invest in primary schools last time around, wasted money on vanity projects.

“We’ve had to clear up that mess. That is why every parent is getting their child a good school place this year and that is why in the years to come investment that we’ve made will ensure that education continues to improve.”

During the visit, Mr Cameron said some £5 billion was being spent on providing extra primary school places between now and 2015.

Mr Gove said: “Every child has a safe and secure place.

Every child will be educated in a school I believe where ambition has never been higher and a determination to overcome the accidents of birth that have held children back in the past is shared by the professionals and by the Government.” It comes as the Local Government Association (LGA) claimed as many as two in three councils could see more children looking to start primary school in their area by September 2016 than there are currently places for.

The LGA warned that schools are already having to convert non-classroom space such as music rooms and libraries into classrooms and others have been forced to reduce playground sizes.

David Simmonds, chairman of the LGA’s children and young people board, warned of a “desperate” shortage of school places.

“Mums and dads quite rightly expect their child to have access to a place in a good school that is nearby and in a good state of repair,”

he said.

“But councils are facing unprecedented pressures in tackling the desperate shortage of new school places.

“Councils across the country have been increasing places by expanding schools where possible through additional classes or new buildings.

“However, without enough resource to provide places we are seeing some schools having to take extreme measures including converting nonclassroom space.”

The figures forecast that Costessey in Norfolk, Purfleet in Thurrock and central Croydon will have at least 75 per cent more pupils by 2015 than the number of places currently available.

The warning comes as the Government announces 93 new free schools opening across thecountry, creatingan extra 43,000 spaces for primary and secondary school children.