The new Homelessness Directorate has today pledged to end all use of bed and breakfast accommodation for families by March 2004.

The government has also announced an extra £10 million for housing providers by changes to housing benefit rules enabling them to increase leases from the private rented sector.

Chris Holmes, director of Shelter, told ePolitix.com: "We are delighted that the government has made this commitment to end the use of bed and breakfast housing for homeless families, which is the worst form of temporary accommodation. It is heartening that tackling homelessness is now a major priority for the government.

"We hope that this very welcome announcement will be followed by a firm commitment from the chancellor in the forthcoming spending review to provide sustained long term investment in affordable housing."