The British government has launched a nationwide preparedness campaign urging households to keep essential supplies at home for at least three days as concerns grow over cyberattacks, extreme weather, potential military threats and disruptions to public services.
The initiative, known as “Be Ready,” marks the start of a three-year effort to strengthen the United Kingdom’s ability to withstand emergencies and ensure residents can cope when essential services become temporarily unavailable.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the public should take practical steps to prepare for situations such as electricity outages, interruptions to water supplies and temporary loss of access to online banking.
He stressed that the campaign was not intended to cause panic but to encourage people to remain prepared for unexpected disruptions.
Under the guidance, households are advised to assemble emergency kits containing bottled water, non-perishable food, cash, essential medicines and other items needed to survive for 72 hours without normal services.
The recommended supplies also include torches, spare batteries, blankets, warm clothing, portable phone chargers, battery-powered or wind-up radios, and basic first-aid materials.
Families with young children are encouraged to store nappies and baby formula, while households with pets should make provisions for their animals. People who rely on prescription medicines or medical equipment are also advised to maintain supplies and keep printed copies of essential operating instructions.
The government recommends keeping cash in different denominations, alongside copies of important identification documents and written emergency contact details, in case digital payment systems or mobile networks become unavailable.
Officials have also made an emergency checklist available through a new government website to help residents identify what they need. Rather than purchasing everything at once, households are encouraged to build their supplies gradually and store them in an accessible location.
The campaign comes amid heightened concerns about Britain’s national security and vulnerability to climate-related emergencies. The government has pointed to the risks posed by Russia, cyber threats and interference in democratic processes, alongside the growing consequences of extreme weather.
Security concerns have also intensified following reports of repeated drone incidents around British military installations. Data obtained under freedom of information laws showed that 340 drone-related security incidents were recorded at or near Ministry of Defence sites in the year to August 2026, compared with 250 in 2025 and 126 in 2024.
The guidance also reflects growing anxiety over the impact of prolonged heatwaves and drought on Britain’s food supply. Five consecutive heatwaves and extended dry conditions have raised concerns about agricultural production, with analysts warning that poor harvests could contribute to shortages and increase dependence on imported food.
The National Farmers’ Union has described the situation as increasingly worrying, noting that some dairy farmers have already resorted to using winter feed because grass growth has been affected by dry conditions.
Investment analysts have warned that the combination of extreme heat and persistent drought could trigger one of Britain’s most serious food security challenges in decades if agricultural losses worsen.
Despite the range of risks highlighted, the government maintains that the national risk register is intended to help authorities and professionals plan for potential emergencies rather than predict that specific disasters will occur.
Through the Be Ready campaign, officials hope to make emergency planning a routine part of household life, arguing that modest preparations could help families remain safe and independent during the first critical days of a major disruption.
