As well as identifying places in the home counties for evacuation, places suitable for becoming temporary mortuaries are also being identified.

BBC: Parts of London could be evacuated in the event of an attack

The rising birth rate is driving a big expansion in primary school places, with many temporary classrooms being added, and this is set to move through to the secondary school population.

BBC: Parents face big local differences in secondary places

In several places, hundreds of claimants queuing outside office were brought into temporary waiting rooms 20-30 at a time.

BBC: Inland Revenue office

In Rikuzentakata, as in many places, very little rebuilding has begun, other than rows of temporary houses that have commandeered school playing fields.

ECONOMIST: Japan after the 3/11 disaster

Earlier this year a report by London Councils said there would be a shortfall of 2, 250 places in London primary schools this coming year, and highlighted the need for temporary classrooms to accommodate extra pupils.

BBC: Pressure on primary school places