Homelessness: Housing under-16s costs 50m a year

A report published last week by the homelessness charity reveals that the 100,000 children and young people in temporary accommodation were missing an average of 11 weeks of school every year.

Adam Sampson, Shelter's director, said a new government fund dedicated to dealing with the housing problems of under-16s was needed.

"We're asking to see more funding for support services to address the worst effects of temporary accommodation and ensure that young people in temporary accommodation have access to mainstream education," said Sampson.

He added that the Government has repeatedly failed to pay attention to the impact of housing policy on young people. "You look in vain for recognition of housing in Every Child Matters," he said. "We're used to seeing health and education as critical to young people's wellbeing but poor housing undermines both of these."