Ministers’ plush country homes like Chequers could be used to house Ukrainian refugees

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Ministers’ plush country homes like Chequers and Chevening, and Westminster landmark Admiralty Arch could be used to house Ukrainian refugees after Boris Johnson orders review of grace-and-favour properties

  • PM wants to see if Chequers could be used to shelter those displaced by war
  • The review will also look at using Chevening and Dorneywood mansions
  • It will also examine using Carlton Gardens and Admiralty Arch flats in London 

By David Wilcock, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Boris Johnson has ordered officials to look at whether ministers’ plush grace-and-favour homes could be use to house Ukrainian refugees.

The Prime Minister wants to see if Chequers, his own country retreat in Buckinghamshire, could be used to shelter those displaced by the Russian invasion. 

The review will also look at using Chevening, the foreign secretary and deputy prime minister’s mansion in Kent, and Dorneywood, the Chancellor of the day’s residence, could also be used.

The investigation will also look at the feasibility of using Government accommodation in London, including the foreign secretary’s apartment in affluent Carlton Gardens – a former favourite of the PM – and even Admiralty Arch, which sits in Whitehall at the end of the Mall, on Trafalgar Square. 

Between them they have 37 double bedrooms, which could be used to house 100 refugees.

The Prime Minister wants to see if Chequers, his own country retreat in Buckinghamshire, could be used to shelter those displaced by the Russian invasion. The PM is pictured with Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta last July

The review will also look at using Chevening, the foreign secretary and deputy prime minister's mansion in Kent (pictured), and Dorneywood, the Chancellor of the day's residence, could also be used.

The review will also look at using Chevening, the foreign secretary and deputy prime minister’s mansion in Kent (pictured), and Dorneywood, the Chancellor of the day’s residence, could also be used.

The investigation will also look at the feasibility of using Government accommodation in London, including the foreign secretary's apartment in affluent Carlton Gardens - a former favourite of the PM - and even Admiralty Arch, which sits in Whitehall at the end of the Mall, on Trafalgar Square.

The investigation will also look at the feasibility of using Government accommodation in London, including the foreign secretary’s apartment in affluent Carlton Gardens – a former favourite of the PM – and even Admiralty Arch, which sits in Whitehall at the end of the Mall, on Trafalgar Square.

Previously use of the properties has been questioned on security grounds, with the way that the properties are owned via not-for-profit trusts could also affect their use. 

But a source told the Telegraph: ‘It is something that the Prime Minister has asked officials to look into. It is a possibility, but it is not straightforward. They are owned by trusts and there are obviously issues with security.’

Ministers have so far been split on inviting refugees into their homes. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says he will take part in the Homes for Ukraine scheme using his own home in Hertfordshire. But others including Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid say they will help in other ways. 

Mr Sunak was asked yesterday whether his family would be taking part in the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The Chancellor told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: ‘No, I think everyone will be helping in the best way that they can.

‘As I say, I’m full of admiration for those who can do that. My wife and I will be helping in other ways.’