'Hundreds of thousands of Brits' offering to put Ukrainian refugees up in their own homes

Hundreds of thousands of Brits are willing to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict by putting them up in their own homes, a minister has said.

Michael Gove said the first refugees arriving in the country under the new Homes for Ukraine programme will be here in a week.

The levelling up secretary said he is "exploring what he can do" when asked if he would take in a refugee himself, but added that he understands "one in 10" British citizens want to help.

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The new scheme will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to bring people escaping the war to safety – even if they have no ties to the UK. Until now, the visa route for people fleeing the war in Ukraine has been limited to those with family members settled here.

Asked for his estimate of the number of people who could come to the UK through the scheme, Mr Gove told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “Tens of thousands.”

Mr Gove said there are potentially “hundreds of thousands of people” in the UK willing to take Ukrainians into their homes through the Government’s new sponsorship scheme.

Brits who provide accommodation to Ukrainian refugees through the new route will be required to commit to the scheme for a minimum of six months. They will also receive a “thank you” payment of £350 per month, the government has announced.

Ukrainian applicants will undergo security checks, and those offering up their homes in the UK will also be subject to a vetting process.

People will be able to express their interest in hosting refugees via a website, which is set to launch on Monday, March 13.

Mr Gove said: “Matching will be taking place from Friday. I