Over 100,000 children were homeless in England during 2001 according to figures released today by Shelter.

Currently over 78,000 homeless households live in temporary accommodation in England, an 8.5 per cent rise on last year and a record high.

Forum Response: Shelter

Chris Holmes, director of Shelter, told ePolitix.com: "Thousands of children across the country are experiencing the terrible hardship of homelessness, with devastating affects on their education, health and well-being. It is vital that the Chancellor commits to providing sustained long term investment in affordable housing if the Government is to make a real difference to their lives."

Forum Response: Centrepoint

A spokeswoman for Centrepoint told ePolitix.com: "Centrepoint agrees that ending the housing of homeless families in temporary accommodation is a key issue and knows, through direct provision for pregnant young women and young mothers, that temporary accommodation is a wholly unsuitable environment in which to house this group."