Prime Minister Andy Burnham has defended the Government's advice for households to stockpile food, water, and other essentials, saying people need to be better prepared for emergencies. Speaking as the UK faced storms and after online disruption caused by a security flaw, Mr Burnham remarked that "unexpected events seem to be becoming more and more common."
He suggested that alongside the recommended emergency supplies, people should be allowed "a glass or two" of wine to help them through a difficult situation. This follows Housing Secretary Angela Rayner's previous joke that her emergency survival kit would include a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc wine.
Prime Minister's Advice on Essentials
Mr Burnham told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm not sure a bottle of wine is your best first port of call if you're in a slightly crisis situation, but it probably helps when you've done the hard work, but I'll stick to the basics." He said he would keep beans, soup, and Twiglets in his cupboard for emergencies.
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 a natural disaster. The checklist recommends nine litres of water per person, along with non-perishable food like tinned meat, vegetables, or dried fruit.
Denial of Government Failure
Mr Burnham denied that people were being asked to step up because the Government had failed in its responsibilities. He told reporters in Liverpool: "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."
Other Officials' Responses
Treasury minister James Murray admitted he has not followed the Government's guidance on stockpiling. The paymaster general told BBC Breakfast that he had a stockpile of coffee, noting that other countries like Ireland, France, and the Netherlands have had such systems for a long time. He added: "I'm not going to pretend I've followed all that advice myself yet."
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch did not say whether she would stock up on supplies but urged the Government to take its own action to "look after us" rather than just giving advice. She told the Press Association during a visit to Cheshire Constabulary Headquarters that many people in rural areas already take precautions because they have no shops nearby, citing power cuts and the need to look after oneself in isolated areas.
