Families are facing a shortfall of nearly 1,700 secondary school places in Ealing by the end of the next parliament, according to new analysis from the office of Labour politician Tessa Jowell.

The figures reveal an expected 27% increase in the number of secondary school children in the borough by 2020/21, leaving a potential shortfall of 1,688 places.

London as a whole will need almost 40,000 extra secondary school places by 2020/21.

Releasing the figures, former Olympics minister Tessa Jowell said: “If there’s one thing parents need, it’s the knowledge that they will be able to send their children to a good school nearby.

"Instead, many thousands of families in Ealing and all over London are facing the prospect of waiting lists, long-distance school runs and children made miserable by uncertainty. That’s simply not acceptable.

"We have to tackle this crisis head-on before it’s too late.

“The potential shortfall of school places has to be met with a serious, concerted plan. We have to prioritise space for children where it is needed.

“Labour will refocus resources and create new spaces in the communities that need them – and help Londoners feel secure about their children’s education.”

Rupa Huq, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Ealing Central and Acton, said: “My son is starting secondary school in September, so I understand the problems local families face when finding placements for their children.

"There are over 17,500 secondary school children in Ealing, and every one of them deserves the best possible start in life. But they’ll only get that if they can be sure of a good local school to prepare for the life ahead of them.”