Commenting on a YouGov survey commissioned by Shelter which reveals that half of teachers at state schools in England are aware of pupils who are homeless or have experienced homelessness in the last year, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“This is a report that should shame Government. Children living in precarious or temporary accommodation face challenges on a day-to-day basis that affect every part of their lives and it certainly impacts on a child’s education and learning.
"Child poverty has worsened while this government has been in power. Government statistics for 2021/22 revealed that 4.2 million children were living in poverty - some 29% of all UK children, and up from 3.6 million in 2010/11.
"Teachers see daily the impact poverty has on their students. With 71% of children in poverty living with at least one adult who works, the pretence that employment is currently a route out of poverty does not hold up.
"It doesn’t have to be this way. Every child without secure and safe housing is paying the price for indefensible political choices. Having no secure home creates real worry and anxiety for children. An incoming Government must promise serious and immediate improvements to the tax and social security system to ensure that we end this unnecessary cycle of deep and worrying hardship for so many families."