Hundreds of people in Oxford will be homeless this Christmas, new estimates suggest.

Housing charity Shelter's research shows the number of homeless people across England rose by 14 per cent in the last year.

It labelled the housing emergency as “out of control" and called on the Government to take the issue seriously.

The figures show 329 people are estimated to be homeless in Oxford this year. Of these, 286 live in temporary accommodation – organised by social services, the council or themselves – including 120 children.

Meanwhile, 43 of the total homeless population are sleeping rough. Nationally, around 309,000 people will be without a home this Christmas.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: "It is appalling that the Government has allowed thousands of families to be packed into damp and dirty B&Bs and hostel rooms, which are traumatising children and making people desperately ill.

"Until the Government takes this emergency seriously, our frontline services will do everything they can to help people keep or find a safe home this winter.

"It is only with the public’s support we can continue to provide vital advice and support and fight for the solutions people want and need to end homelessness."

Ms Neate blamed the housing emergency on "chronic underinvestment" in social homes, with people unable to afford rising rents.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said it is spending £2 billion on tackling homelessness and rough sleeping.