Department for Education figures obtained by Labour MP for Stockport Ann Coffey show that the number of children placed in residential care out of their council area has risen by 64 per cent, from 2,250 in 2012 to 3,680 in March 2017.
The figures also reveal that the majority (61 per cent) of children in residential care are now placed "out of area".
The data comes in spite of government efforts to reduce the use of unnecessary out-of-area placements, announced by former children's minister Edward Timpson in January 2014.
Changes introduced then included all out-of-area placements having to be approved by local authority directors of children's services.
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