Milton Keynes 'illegal' housing for homeless nearly doubles

The number of families being illegally housed in bed and breakfast accommodation by Milton Keynes Council has nearly doubled this year.

Up to the end of March, it housed 35 families in temporary accommodation for longer than the statutory six weeks, but this rose to 60 by the end of June according to government figures.

Housing Minister Mark Prisk said there was "no excuse" for unlawful housing.

The council said it was looking to at least halve the figure by spring 2014, using one-bedroom flats for small families.