More than 100 children across Bradford will face Christmas in bed and breakfasts while they wait for new homes, it has been revealed.

There are 125 children in temporary accommodation across the district, compared with 103 in 2004/5, according to Government information.

Local authorities have a duty to house unintentionally homeless families in priority need. If they are unable to find suitable permanent housing, they might have to use temporary accommodation including B&Bs, hostels and private and social housing.

The figures, uncovered by the Liberal Democrats, lay bare the scale of the housing shortage in the district and will fuel anger that other homes are standing empty.

Liberal Democrat housing spokesman Sarah Teather said: “It is a tragedy so many families will spend this Christmas mired in uncertainty and crammed into bed and breakfasts and unsuitable housing.

“Labour came to power promising to build more social housing, but unless Gordon Brown acts quickly his legacy will be one of failure and neglect of some of the poorest children.

“With more and more families finding themselves facing the prospect of repossession, the Government must give councils the power to borrow and build now, while land is cheap.”

The figures released in a parliamentary written answer show nationally almost 88,000 children face not being in a permanent home this Christmas.

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: “More families are getting housing supporting as a result of a stronger safety net, but there is more to do. That is why we are investing more than £8 billion over the next three years.”

A Council spokesperson said: “Priorities within the new homelessness strategy are to reduce the unnecessary use of temporary accommodation and bed and breakfast.”