John Healey MP, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Minister for Housing and Planning, commenting on the latest government statistics on homelessness, said:

“Today’s figures show yet another rise in homelessness under the Tories. Government Ministers should be ashamed.

“It’s no merry Christmas for the thousands of families without a home of their own this winter, including the 100,000 children forced to live out of hostels or other temporary accommodation.

“This situation is unacceptable and it’s unnecessary. Ministers must act.”