Recently published Government data has shown that the number of households living in temporary accommodation in England has risen by 75% in the past decade.  This is, without a doubt, a national emergency.  People, often families with children, are being forced to live in B&Bs and other temporary shelters, which are poorly suited and adapted to their needs.  Being one step away from homelessness is the realisation of austerity politics, with dramatic cuts to social security, under-investment in front line services, and wages that match neither the cost of living, nor inflation.

In Bolton, there are 126 households in temporary accommodation, unable to make a home for themselves and without any assurances of long-term stability.  Of that 126, 46% are families with children.  It is appalling that any developed country, let alone one of the richest in the world, is unable to provide stable and secure homes for children.  This Conservative Government needs to commit far more money to local authorities and social housing development projects in order to safeguard our people from the disruption and difficulties associated with cramped, sub-standard and sometimes dangerous B&Bs.