THE record number of children trapped in temporary accommodation is a national scandal, campaigners charged today.

New data published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government showed that the number of households in temporary accommodation in England has climbed to an all-time record high.

At the end of March, some 131,140 households were in temporary accommodation, more than double that of a decade ago, when it stood at 64,710.

Meanwhile, 169,050 children were reported to be in temporary accommodation, the highest since records began in 1998. 

Generation Rent chief executive Ben Twomey said: “More and more children are spending their formative years trapped living in temporary accommodation, often in overcrowded and unsafe conditions and at huge cost to local authorities. 

“This is a national scandal that demands government action.  

“With rent prices soaring far beyond what we earn, people are forced into temporary accommodation because they simply can’t find somewhere affordable to live.”

Mr Twomey welcomed the government’s plans to build 1.5 million homes, but warned that it will “take years to have a noticeable impact.” 

“Government must slam the brakes on soaring rents, while also unfreezing local housing allowance so those on low incomes are also able to stay in their homes,” he said.

Shelter director of campaigns and policy Mairi MacRae said: “This is the devastating result of a severe shortage of social rent homes and inadequate levels of housing benefit that continue to trap families in homelessness. 

“Every day we hear from families who are stuck in grim B&Bs and hostels where they are crammed into single rooms and forced to live out of suitcases.

“The government must now get on and deliver the new social rent homes it's committed to and ramp up to 90,000 a year for 10 years.” 

The number of households living in emergency accommodation such as B&Bs and hostels is now 22,700. 

The statistics revealed that 2,300 households with children were living in B&Bs for over six weeks, exceeding the legal limit, although this marks a decrease from 3,240 the previous year.

Minister for Homelessness, Rushanara Ali said: “We’re already investing £1 billion into councils this year, including the largest ever cash boost in homelessness prevention, and thanks to the recent Spending Review this record investment has now been protected for future years ensuring continued support for those who need it most.

“We must dig deep to tackle the root causes of homelessness. That’s why we’ve announced a huge £39 billion investment to build hundreds of thousands of social and affordable homes over the next decade, alongside abolishing Section 21 no fault evictions and driving up standards to deliver safe and secure housing for all.”