Defence Secretary West Streeting has urged the public to take simple steps to ensure they are better prepared for emergencies, amid rising geopolitical tensions and extreme weather events.
Supply chain concerns
Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have led to government concerns over supply chains and economic impact, with petrol and food prices vulnerable to global instability. While the UK remains committed to supporting its allies, officials are keen to stress the importance of resilience at home in the face of a range of potential threats, from cyber attacks and power outages to severe flooding and wildfires.
Speaking to The Sun, Mr Streeting encouraged households to keep a small number of essential supplies readily available in case normal services are disrupted.
Basic supplies recommended
He said keeping cash, bottled water and non-perishable food at home was a straightforward way for families to prepare for unexpected emergencies.
“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 said.
“These are basic things, and of course a lot of people just have that in their cupboard naturally.”
Preparedness over alarm
Streeting emphasised that the message was one of preparedness rather than alarm, pointing to the increasing frequency of extreme weather incidents as a reminder of the need for greater resilience. Britain has experienced periods of drought, flooding and unusually high temperatures in recent years, while experts continue to monitor the impact of climate patterns such as El Niño.
Mr Streeting suggested that many households may not be fully equipped to cope with disruptions to everyday services, including banking, electricity and transport.
“Do they have what they need indoors, should they lose access to their online banking for a period? Should they have a power cut?” he said.
Community support and guidance
He also highlighted the risks posed by natural disasters, warning that communities affected by flooding or wildfires are often less prepared than they should be despite having experienced similar events before.
Alongside maintaining basic emergency supplies, Streeting said the public should focus on supporting one another during times of crisis. The Government has previously published guidance recommending households keep a 72-hour emergency kit containing essential provisions in case of major disruption.
