The UK government is set to issue new guidance advising citizens to stock up on food and water as part of efforts to bolster national resilience against threats posed by the climate crisis and hostile states.
The advice, expected to be published later this year, will form part of a wider preparedness campaign aimed at helping households cope with potential disruptions to essential services. Officials said the measures are designed to encourage self-reliance in the event of severe weather events, cyber-attacks, or other emergencies.
Focus on civil resilience
The guidance will reportedly recommend that households keep a supply of non-perishable food and bottled water sufficient for a set period, alongside other essentials such as torches and batteries. The move reflects growing concern within Whitehall about the UK's vulnerability to cascading failures caused by extreme weather or deliberate interference by foreign actors.
A government spokesperson said the advice is part of a broader strategy to strengthen civil resilience and ensure communities are better prepared for a range of potential scenarios. The spokesperson added that the guidance is not intended to cause alarm but to encourage practical steps that individuals can take to protect themselves and their families.
Part of wider resilience strategy
The initiative comes amid increasing warnings from security officials about the threat posed by hostile states seeking to disrupt critical infrastructure. The new guidance is expected to be accompanied by updated advice for businesses and local authorities on maintaining essential services during emergencies.
The announcement follows a series of recent extreme weather events that have tested the UK's emergency response systems, including heatwaves and flooding. The government has said that building resilience is a key priority, with further details of the preparedness campaign due to be outlined in the coming months.
