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More than 100,000 people registered interest in giving a place in their homes for Ukrainian refugees under a government scheme, after widespread criticism of bureaucratic obstacles, though refugees would still require a visa. The scheme was the responsibility of Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary; asked if he would take in a refugee, he said: ‘Without going into my personal circumstances, there are a couple of things I need to sort out – but, yes.’ He thought it might be an idea to lodge refugees in oligarchs’ empty properties. Anarchists occupied a house in Belgrave Square belonging to Oleg Deripaska; four were arrested.
Roman Abramovich was sanctioned and his assets were frozen; Chelsea football club was allowed to function under licence and anyone interested in buying it was invited to contact the government. An appeal by the UK Disasters Emergency Committee to help Ukrainians raised £150 million in a week. The price of petrol (more than half of which is tax) rose to £1.63 a litre. Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, flew off to Saudi Arabia with the hope of persuading the Kingdom to disgorge more oil. The first 36 T-shaped pylons were connected in Somerset, replacing the lattice-work design of which 22,000 remain.
In the seven days up to 7 March, 726 people had died with coronavirus, bringing total deaths (within 28 days of testing positive) to 162,873. In the previous week 786 had died. Numbers with Covid remaining in hospital in the United Kingdom rose from about 10,700 to about 12,000. A fourth vaccination would be offered from April starting with those aged over 75 or vulnerable. All remaining UK Covid travel measures ended. The Queen, who has made Windsor Castle her stable base, did not attend the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
Abroad
Russian forces moved in on Kiev.
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