Living in temporary accommodation may have contributed to the deaths of at least 16 children in London in the last five years, according to new research.
The figures, compiled by a group of cross-party MPs, also reveal that temporary accommodation may have contributed to the deaths of 74 children in England between April 1 2019 and March 31 2024, 58 of whom were under the age of one.
Children from black and minority ethnic communities are disproportionately overrepresented in the deaths, the research found, at 38%, despite making up only 27% of the population.
Separately, the APPG on Households in Temporary Accommodation found that 80 children have died in temporary accommodation in the one year between October 1 2023 and September 30, 2024.
The figures are taken from the NHS-funded National Child Mortality Database.
Dame Siobhain McDonagh MP, Chair of the APPG for Temporary Accommodation, described the figures as “shocking”.
"74 children have died in 5 years with temporary accommodation contributing to their death,” she said.
“That is more than 1 every month. How shocking is that? In the fifth largest economy in the world.”
The research found that child deaths were more likely to occur when there is overcrowding, poor conditions such as mould, and a lack of safer sleep options such as cots.
Ministers last year changed government guidance to advise local authorities to help homeless families access cots, but Ms McDonagh said that guidance should be law “to ensure that deaths in temporary accommodation are zero".
A record 123,100 households are in temporary accommodation in England, according to the latest Government statistics, which can include hostels, BnBs and caravan parks as well as temporary houses and flats.
Researchers said the risk of death was increased by babies being placed in accommodation without a cot or cooking facilities.
It comes after London Councils, which represents London local authorities, said on Tuesday waiting lists for social housing in the capital was at a ten-year high.
336,366 households in London were on waiting lists for social housing in 2024, a 32% increase since 2014.
