Official figures out today have revealed that the number of homeless households living in temporary accommodation is at an all time high.

There are currently 78,620 households living in temporary accommodation and of these 12,110 households are in living in bed and breakfasts. This is a 23 per cent rise on the previous year.

Forum Response: Shelter

Chris Holmes, director of Shelter, told ePolitix.com: "We warmly welcomed the announcements by the government yesterday, especially the commitment to end the use of bed and breakfast for homeless families.

"The figures out today show that the use of temporary accommodation is at an all time high. This is impacting massively on the lives of homeless children who are caught in a poverty trap."It is now vital that the Treasury backs the pledges made by Stephen Byers by making a firm commitment to providing sustained investment in affordable housing to ensure everyone has a decent, secure and affordable home."