The public will be asked to stock up on items such as bottled water, tinned food and candles as part of a new government campaign to improve the nation's resilience to national emergencies. The Cabinet Office has been instructed to accelerate planning for the home defence programme, according to The Guardian.
Civilian and military planning integrated
The initiative aims to integrate civilian and military planning for crises and follows Russia's threats of action against the UK for supporting Ukraine in the conflict that has now lasted more than four years. The programme includes preparations for the "war book", the classified blueprint for transitioning the country during crisis and conflict, The Telegraph reports.
Guidance issued to the public will reportedly include stocking up on food, bottled water and candles. The Cabinet Office campaign will ensure households have basic supplies and knowledge on what to do in a crisis, freeing up immediate resources for the most vulnerable, reports say.
Emergency plans cover climate and cyber threats
The disasters included in the emergency plans range from climate crisis incidents – such as extreme heat, wildfire and droughts – to cyber-attacks and flooding. The plans, first reported by the FT, also include an internal reassessment of government preparations for a military attack by a hostile state.
The Telegraph reported that sources indicated some aspects of the homeland defence plans were brought forward from an earlier deadline of 2035 to 2030 amid the 'hostile state' fears. "We do need to accelerate preparedness in a range of threat areas, which means in the next few years, not the next decade," a source said.
Russia threats escalate
It comes amid chilling threats issued by Russia to Britain earlier this month – and a warning from ex-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier this year that Moscow could launch an attack "on NATO as soon as 2030". Assessments by intelligence agencies and Secretary General Mark Rutte share a similar view.
This month, Moscow's embassy in Britain said the UK would pay a "price" following reports that Britain had provided drones to Ukraine that had been deployed in strikes deep inside Russia. It accused Britain of becoming "an accomplice and co-perpetrator" of the attacks and of "deliberately opting for an escalation" in the conflict. "London's actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer," it added. "The deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for Kyiv's terrorist machinery, the higher the price it will pay."
The Ministry of Defence responded, stating: "Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin's illegal invasion. Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this Government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies."
Storm Shadow blueprints and grey zone attacks
Again this week, senior Russian officials issued a warning to Britain after the Kremlin hit out at the country for providing Ukraine with the capability to produce Anglo-French Storm Shadow missiles. On Monday, Andy Burnham gave a speech in Kyiv where he pledged to hand Volodymyr Zelensky the classified blueprints for the deadly weaponry.
When asked about the Kremlin's response to Mr Burnham's move, Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned ominously that Britain was now 'participating in this war'. Moscow's position was 'extremely negative', he stated. "Britain is participating in this war. It is participating in this war on the side of the Kyiv regime", the spokesperson said. "Britain methodically and regularly pours fuel on the fire and methodically and regularly plots to prevent any progress in the peace process. This is precisely what Britain is doing. Our armed forces are conducting the relevant work, obtaining the relevant information in order to identify the production sites of such missiles, the production sites of other military equipment, and are taking measures to destroy these sites."
In an address outside St Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Mr Burnham vowed that he would not be deterred from providing aid to Ukraine, saying: "Despite Russia's outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine."
Security and defence chiefs have raised concerns over "grey zone" attacks that fall somewhere between peace and war, including cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure. Britain has already fallen victim to such an attack, when Iran successfully shut down a British power station for four days, demonstrating that access to sensitive sites is indeed achievable.
Officials are planning to roll out an information campaign focused on "national resilience" this autumn, providing guidance on stockpiling food, water and candles. One source warned: "We need to be ready for threats to become more possible by 2030."
