THE number of homeless children in Basildon has increased by more than 200 in just four years, new data from the Government has revealed.

The number of homeless children was 665 in March 2020 and then 893 in 2024, with an opposition leader calling for changes to the approach for housing developments and closer working with the county council. 

Nationally, 151,630 children across England were living in temporary accommodation at the end of March this year.

The figure is up 15 per cent from 131,370 children living in bed and breakfasts, hostels and other temporary housing in March 2023, and is at the highest level since records began in 2004.

Cllr Andrew Baggott, leader of the Basildon Conservatives, said: "The fact this is going up is obviously a concern and in this day and age we don't want to see anyone being homeless. I think there needs to be a different look at things because as soon as someone talks about building homes groups jump up and down about it.

"I can understand the concern about infrastructure but we need to start to tackle the issue of infrastructure and reassure the public this will be dealt with too.

"We also need to look at how people turn up in a town and present as homeless and we need to find out where they have come from and where they are registered. 

"I think we need to understand how homelessness comes about and what the source is and address that.

"Work needs to be done with Essex County Council as it deals with social and child care, and come up with some solutions."