More than 23,000 children are now growing up in temporary accommodation across England’s county and rural areas, according to new analysis from the County Councils Network, as local authorities warn that homelessness is becoming an increasingly severe challenge beyond the nation’s major cities.

The figures reveal a sharp rise in families being housed in bed and breakfasts, hostels and costly nightly-paid accommodation, highlighting what county leaders describe as a growing rural homelessness crisis that is placing unprecedented pressure on council finances.