THE BED AND BREAKFAST FARCE

When on the prowl for votes one of the politicians' favourite dodges is to put great importance on the value of families and to portray themselves as stout champions of the family.  In practice however it is a different story. 'The number of families without accommodation being put up by local councils in B&Bs has risen to its highest in 10 years. New government figures show that 2,090 families with children were living in a B&B at the end of June. That is the highest figure since September 2003, and an 8% increase on the same month last year. ........ The figures also show that one in three families have been living in a B&B for more than six weeks, the statutory maximum.' (BBC News, 5 September) RD