Rise in Christmas homeless

A leading homeless charity expect to stretched to the limit with families in crisis this Christmas, despite receiving "some great help" from both the general public and major companies, their Chief Executive said.

Campbell Robb said welfare reforms like Universal Credit and the Bedroom Tax were making their job harder as there were "more and more people struggling" every year.

At least 2,090 families are living in B&Bs after losing their homes - the highest number for a decade, according to housing charity Shelter.

• The number of families living out of a B&B has risen by 8% since 2012.
• Homelessness reached a five year high this summer.
• In 2012 113,260 people in England declared themselves homeless to their local council - an 11% increase over two years.

Christmas 2013 will see an "alarming" rise in the number of people seeking help for homelessness, housing charity Shelter has warned.

Last year, Shelter received more than 12,600 calls to their helpline in December - 15% more than in 2011.

Over the whole year, the total reached 174,177, a 10% rise year-on-year and equivalent to more than 470 callers per day.

Campbell Robb, Chief Executive: "Tragically, with more people struggling to make ends meet and homelessness on the rise, we’re bracing ourselves for an increase in demand from families who desperately need our help.

"Our advisers will be working with families facing homelessness every day this Christmas to help them find a safe place to live and get back on their feet – but we urgently need more support this year."

Earlier this month Government figures showed 80,000 children were expected to be spend Christmas homeless.