In England, over 172,000 children currently reside in temporary accommodation. The government aims to eliminate the excessive use of bed-and-breakfast (B&B) placements for families with children, which the law restricts to a maximum of six weeks. Recent data revealed that between April and June 2025, over 2,000 children were in B&Bs for longer than the allowed duration.
Child Poverty Crisis in the UK
According to government reports, child poverty levels have reached alarming levels, with 4.5 million children—approximately one-third—living in relative poverty after housing costs. A staggering three-quarters of these children come from working families. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that many families are struggling to secure basic necessities, including stable housing and access to nutritious meals.
Child Poverty Strategy Initiatives
The government’s new child poverty strategy includes several initiatives aimed at alleviating hardship for families:
- Reversal of the two-child benefit cap
- Expansion of free school meals to all children in families receiving Universal Credit
- Introduction of free breakfast clubs
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) projects that eliminating the two-child benefit cap could help lift around 450,000 children out of poverty by the end of the current Parliament. The remaining reductions in child poverty are expected to stem from the expansion of free school meals.
Focus on Temporary Accommodation
Beyond addressing child poverty, the government has outlined specific measures related to temporary accommodations. These initiatives are aimed at assisting families in urgent need. However, the IFS noted that these measures may primarily benefit smaller groups of people, compared to the broader reach of changes to child benefits and school meal programs.
The UK government’s commitment to eradicating B&B living for families demonstrates a decisive step toward creating a more supportive environment for vulnerable children. Through these strategic initiatives, the aim is to ensure all children have access to necessary resources and a stable living situation.
