The number of children living in temporary accommodation this Christmas, including in bed and breakfasts, has risen by more than 10% since last year, to 124,000, according to new government figures.
The increase was described as “shocking” by Shelter, the country’s leading charity for homeless people.
Campbell Robb, Shelter’s chief executive, has blamed a “perfect storm” of welfare cuts and rising rents, together with a lack of social and affordable housing. He said it was creating impossible pressure for local authorities.
The crisis is the subject of Frances Ryan’s latest Hardworking Britain column, in which she shines a light on some of the victims of austerity Britain.
If you have a story about children in B&Bs and want it to feature in a future column, get in touch. It could be that you and your family are in temporary accommodation or perhaps you know of children who are.
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