Liam Byrne MP today called on the city council to launch an emergency school building programme in Birmingham's inner cities to cope with growing numbers of youngsters.

The Hodge Hill MP made the call after talks with city education chief, Tony Howell, where the city revealed that school places in Washwood Heath are actually one place below the local population of youngsters, with a zero safety margin.

The news comes as Birmingham University research shows that the district is only sending a few dozen more youngsters to university than a decade ago.

Liam said:

“We know that success in life starts young. That's why our primary schools are so important.

“But more and more parents are coming to me in despair at their children being sent miles from home to go to school. One was even told they couldn't stay for lunch as they weren't enough staff to supervise - meaning four long trips a day.

He added:

“The city says there is only one child more than places available. But I simply don't below you can run something as critical as our schools with zero margin for error.”

The MP has demanded a city wide breakdown to check how many wards are stretched to breaking point.