The figures, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, give an overview of homelessness across the UK.

The total number of households in temporary accommodation in Bolton was 208 on June 30, 2024 – with 131 having children.

This means 63 per cent of households in temporary accommodation, which includes BnBs and hostels, have children.

The year before in 2023, the figure on June 30 was 195 households – with 94 having children, or 48 per cent of households.

There were 245 children in temporary accommodation in 2023 and 349 in 2024.

Across the UK, record numbers of families are living in temporary accommodation and councils are struggling to meet demand.

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Cllr Sean Fielding, Executive Cabinet Member for Adults and Community Housing, called homelessness “a stain on society”.

He said: “Homelessness is a stain on our society, but it’s a reflection of the consequences of 14 years of Conservative Government which failed to build the homes we need, presided over a decline in real terms incomes and saw a decrease in the numbers of socially rented homes.

“Against this challenging backdrop, Bolton is still making progress in reducing the number of people who need emergency accommodation and accessing temporary accommodation.

“In December 2024, which is the latest data, we had 178 households in temporary accommodation, of which 131 are families.

“We have also made significant progress in reducing the number of people and families staying in hotels as an emergency measure."

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“As of January 2025, we have less than 10 households in chain hotel placements, with one child as part of one of those households. 

“This is down 80 per cent since June 2024 despite little change in the number of people coming for help.

“That said, our primary focus is to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place, and we urge anyone facing the prospect of losing their home to seek help as soon as possible.”