Prime Minister Andy Burnham has spoken out in support of Government advice urging Brits to stockpile food, water and other essentials, saying people need to be better prepared for emergencies. His comments come as two storms, Austen and Boelo, are set to hit the UK within a 48-hour period.
The Government launched a campaign yesterday to encourage households to prepare for emergencies such as power cuts by gathering a pack of essentials. The recommended items include a battery or wind-up torch, a portable power bank, spare batteries, a radio, a first aid kit, hand sanitiser and wipes, bottled water, non-perishable food, and baby supplies.
Burnham's response to the advice
Speaking to reporters in Liverpool, Mr Burnham said: "I'm not sure that that's the top of the list in terms of the advice that we're giving to the public. You need to have a clear head when it comes to a challenging situation. So some tins of food, some bottled water, I think maybe. But I'm sure people are allowed a glass or two as well to get them through a difficult situation."
He added: "No, we're having the conversation with people about being better prepared because we're living in a world where unexpected events seem to be becoming more and more common."
"Obviously, weather events, and we're in a situation today where the UK is facing storms and obviously, we feel for the people without power in Cornwall right now. It is just having those supplies in the house to get you through those moments. So we are having that conversation about resilience."
Government recommendations
The Government has drawn up recommendations for households to have three days' worth of bottled water and tinned food to deal with a crisis such as a war, an online attack or natural disaster. The advice follows major online disruption caused by a security flaw.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner previously joked that her emergency survival kit would include a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc wine.
Treasury minister's admission
Treasury minister James Murray has admitted he has not followed the Government's guidance on stockpiling supplies. The paymaster general told BBC Breakfast that he had a stockpile of coffee, saying: "If you look at, say, Ireland or other countries in Europe like France and Netherlands, they've had this system for quite a long time, the idea of having a bit of stuff at home to protect yourselves in case something goes wrong."
Asked what he had stockpiled, he said: "I've got quite a lot of coffee in my house… it's for individual people to take choices. I'm not going to say: 'Here's a Government shopping list.'" He added: "I'm not going to pretend I've followed all that advice myself yet."
