Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has said that Brits should keep cash, bottled water and tinned goods at home in case of disaster. In an interview with the Sun newspaper, he said that Brits should be 'alert but not alarmed' in the face of threats such as natural disasters, extreme weather, acts of terrorism and war.
Whole society approach needed
He also said that he thought a 'whole society approach' was needed - and that the country is not as prepared as it should be.
“It’s having some cash at home, having a supply of bottled water indoors, having some tinned goods that you can access if your electric goes and you’re not able to cook on the hob or in the microwave,” he told the paper.
Basic preparations
“If there was a risk of wildfire, if there was a risk of flooding, sometimes it feels like even in communities that experience those sorts of events periodically, we’re not as prepared as we should be.
“These are basic things, and of course, you know, a lot of people just have that in their cupboard naturally.”
“We’ve got to get the balance right. I want people to be alert, not alarmed.”
Resilience always important
“There is always a risk when you have these conversations that people overreact or think, well why is this important now?
“But resilience is always important for a country.”
