1 chart that shows the seriousness of UK homeless problem

15,000 more children have been made homeless in the past 12 months

New plans will require councils to reveal how many children go to live with adoptive families early (Getty)

More than 100,000 children accross the UK will spend Christmas Day homeless - the equivalent of four children for every school in the country - according to estimates from Shelter.

The charity calculated that the number of homeless children has increased by almost 15,000 in the last year alone.

It said the number of children living in temporary accommodation is at highest level since 2008.

Shelter also noted the number of families living in B&B accommodation or hostels – which are often cramped and unsuitable for children – have more than trebled in the last five years and risen by 25% in the last 12 months. #

It heard reports of children seeing their parents being physically attacked, being exposed to drug and alcohol abuse, and having strangers enter their rooms without permission.

The majority of families interviewed said their children's emotional wellbeing and development had been badly affected, with reports of bed-wetting, problems with speech, anxiety, and distress, Shelter said.

In some cases, the impact was so severe that parents reported that children developed worrying behaviours including one child who began to self-harm and a six-year-old boy who developed a nervous tick due to anxiety.

Alison Mohammed, director of services at Shelter, which has launched an emergency Christmas appeal, said: "There's nothing more heart-breaking than hearing the voice of a parent who's desperately trying to keep a roof over their children's heads.

"But the sad fact is, almost every day, we hear from families who've fallen on hard times and found themselves living in a single cramped room of a B&B or hostel, unable to give their children the environment they need to grow and thrive in.

"Worrying about your child's safety every day, eating dinners on the floor, and sharing beds - this is no way for a family to live."

The research comes as David Cameron called to end the “tragedy” of children waiting for homes by speeding up the adoption process.

The Prime Minister has revealed he intends to urge local authorities to double the number of children – currently around 10 per cent - placed with adoptive families before legal proceedings are complete. Under new plans all councils will be required to reveal how many children go to live with adoptive families early.

Mr Cameron told the BBC: “It is a tragedy that there are still too many children waiting to be placed with a loving family. We have made real progress but it remains a problem.