Rising Child Poverty and Temporary Accommodation in England

As of June 2024, over 172,000 children in England were living in temporary accommodation, marking an 8.2% increase from the previous year. This situation has drawn attention to the challenges faced by families, with more than 130,000 households currently affected. Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, emphasized the dire conditions, stating that many children lack adequate space for play and study, highlighting the instability of their living situations.

The Guardian

In response to the growing crisis, the UK government has announced a strategy aimed at addressing child poverty, particularly for those living in temporary accommodation. The strategy includes a commitment to end the unlawful placement of families in bed-and-breakfast (B&B) accommodations beyond the legally mandated six weeks. Despite this, reports indicate that over 2,000 children were found to have exceeded this limit between April and June 2025.

Child poverty strategy includes measures for children living in temporary accommodation

The government acknowledges that children in temporary accommodation experience significant disruptions, including missed schooling and adverse effects on physical and mental health. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the living conditions of these children as one of the deepest forms of poverty, stressing the need for secure homes and basic necessities. The strategy aims to lift approximately 550,000 children out of poverty by 2030, partly by abolishing the two-child limit on Universal Credit and expanding access to childcare.

Child poverty strategy includes measures for children living in temporary accommodation

Critics have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the government's measures. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) noted uncertainty regarding the actual impact of these policies on poverty reduction, citing economic factors that may hinder progress. Additionally, the tragic deaths of 74 children, including infants, attributed to conditions in temporary accommodation, have sparked outrage and calls for immediate action.

Government pledges to end children living in B&Bs

The government has committed to investing £8 million in emergency accommodation reduction pilots across 20 councils with high rates of B&B use for homeless families. Furthermore, a £950 million allocation to the local authority housing fund is expected to create 5,000 high-quality homes for temporary accommodation. New legal obligations will also require councils to inform schools and health services when children are placed in temporary housing, aiming to improve support for affected families.

Child poverty strategy includes measures for children living in temporary accommodation

• “Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, said: “Tragically we have now become totally accustomed to seeing record levels of children growing up in temporary accommodation.” — Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis

The Guardian

• “Launching the policy in Wales, prime minister Keir Starmer said: “Every child deserves the best possible start in life, with their future no longer determined by the circumstances of their birth.” — Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

Child poverty strategy includes measures for children living in temporary accommodation

• “If that's still happening by the time I've finished my job, I'll consider myself a failure,” — Minister for Child Poverty

Government pledges to end children living in B&Bs

The situation of children in temporary accommodation in England remains critical, with ongoing government efforts to address the root causes of child poverty and improve living conditions for affected families.

Government pledges to end children living in B&Bs