By Basant El-Faramawy
The British government has launched a three-year "Be Ready" campaign urging households to prepare for emergencies ranging from extreme weather and cyber attacks to potential war, with Defence Secretary Wes Streeting unveiling updated guidance on Friday.
Government launches 'Be Ready' campaign
The initiative marks a national drive to boost household resilience. Streeting told BBC Newsnight that having everyday essentials such as tinned food and torches helps families cope with disruption from flooding, power cuts, or burst pipes. He emphasized a "whole society approach" while urging the public to remain "alert not alarmed."
Emergency kit checklist
A new government website provides a downloadable checklist for a three-day emergency kit. It recommends at least three litres of bottled water per person per day for drinking, cooking, and washing. Non-perishable food that requires no cooking, such as ready-to-eat tinned meat, fruit, or vegetables, plus a tin opener, should be stored. The list also includes hand sanitiser and wet wipes for hygiene, a torch with spare batteries, blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothing, a portable power bank for mobile phones, and a battery or wind-up radio for updates during power cuts. A first aid kit with waterproof plasters, bandages, a thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash, sterile dressings, gloves, medical tape, and tweezers is advised. For households with babies, nappies and ready-to-feed formula are recommended. Cash in mixed notes and coins, copies of identification documents, and a written list of important phone numbers and medication details complete the kit.
Building the kit over time
Officials suggest accumulating items gradually rather than purchasing everything at once. Supplies should be kept together in a single, easily locatable spot, even in darkness. Maintaining a several-day supply of prescription medication is essential, and those reliant on medical devices should keep printed operating instructions and fully charged backup batteries on hand.
Threats driving preparedness
The campaign reflects growing concerns over national security. Andy Burnham's government is focusing on resilience amid threats from Russia. Streeting wrote in The Telegraph that Britain must be ready for war within 1,000 days, as adversaries could be positioned to attack by 2030. He stressed that preparation is necessary to prevent the worst. Russian officials have warned that British facilities in Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets if used for long-range strikes. Additionally, Ministry of Defence data shows 340 drone-related security incidents at or near defence sites in the year to August 2026, up from 250 in 2025 and 126 the year before.
Extreme weather concerns
Climate-related risks also underpin the guidance. Record-breaking heatwaves this summer have caused drought and wildfires. Analysts from Shore Capital warn of the worst food security crisis in decades, with five consecutive heatwaves and prolonged dry conditions threatening harvests and increasing reliance on imports. The National Farmers Union described the situation as increasingly concerning, noting dairy farmers are already using winter feed because grass has stopped growing.
