Wes Streeting faced a fiery challenge on BBC Question Time over the Government's new "Be Ready" campaign, which urges households to stockpile essentials such as tinned food and bottled water. An audience member accused the Defence Secretary of "scaremongering," warning the advice could lead to panic buying and empty shelves.
Audience member challenges campaign
The audience member pressed Mr Streeting on the potential consequences of the campaign, saying: "Don't you think that's just scaremongering? Because people then go and panic buy which then affects us again." She added: "Why put out something like that? People are just going to go to the shops, buy everything up, there's going to be nothing in the shops, prices will rise."
Other audience members reportedly referenced how panic-buying of loo rolls caused major shortages at the start of the Covid pandemic.
Government's practical advice
Earlier in the show, Mr Streeting defended the campaign, saying it was designed around "everyday threats" such as wildfires, flooding, and burst water pipes in freezing conditions. He advised households to keep three litres of bottled water per person per day for three days, along with tinned goods that do not require heating.
He also suggested having first aid kits, a battery-powered torch, and a portable charging pack for mobile phones, describing these as "really practical things" to help people be better prepared.
Campaign aims
The emergency preparedness campaign is intended to help households feel better prepared for disruptive events, including severe weather. The exchange on Question Time highlighted public concerns about the potential side effects of the guidance.
