Prime minister Boris Johnson has said he is unlikely to take any Ukrainian refugees into No. 10 under a new scheme to be set out on Monday due to security concerns.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman indicated that Mr Johnson will not be taking part in the programme, but said it is up to individual ministers whether they offer a place to stay for those fleeing the war in eastern Europe.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said his family will be applying for the programme, and the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove said he is considering putting himself forward as a host.

However, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said it would be difficult for him to "offer the time" and Labour's London mayor Sadiq Khan said he does not have the space in his family home.

The scheme will see households paid a tax-free £350 a month as a thank you for hosting a refugee for a minimum of six months.

There will be no limit to the number of Ukrainian refugees who can come to the UK as they face their "hour of greatest need", Mr Gove told MPs.

Mr Johnson who lives in the flat above 11 Downing Street with his wife Carrie and their two children said through his spokesman said: "There are specific challenges around security on housing people in No 10.

"Various ministers have been asked about this but it will come down to individual circumstances. This is a significant commitment."

Mr Shapps, meanwhile, has announced his personal support for the hosting scheme.

He tweeted: "We've spent the past few weeks as a family discussing the devastating situation in Ukraine and so we intend to apply today to join other UK households in offering our home to provide refuge to Ukrainians until it is safe for them to return to their country."

On Sunday, Mr Gove said there are potentially "hundreds of thousands of people" in the UK willing to take Ukrainians into their homes.