By Basant El-Faramawy
The British government has launched a national "Be Ready" campaign urging households to prepare for emergencies including cyber attacks, extreme weather, and potential conflict, with Defence Secretary Wes Streeting unveiling a three-year drive to boost national resilience.
Emergency Kit Checklist
Officials advise every household to maintain a three-day supply of essentials: at least three litres of bottled water per person per day, non-perishable food that requires no cooking, a tin opener, hand sanitiser, wet wipes, a torch with spare batteries, blankets, warm clothing, a portable power bank, a battery or wind-up radio, a first aid kit, baby supplies where needed, and cash in mixed notes and coins alongside copies of identification and key phone numbers.
A new government website offers a downloadable checklist, and the guidance recommends building the kit gradually and storing items together in an easily accessible location. Prescription medications and backup batteries for medical devices should also be kept ready.
Government Concerns Over Russian Threats
Streeting said the campaign responds to real and growing threats, citing adversaries' increasing capacity to attack the UK by 2030. He previously wrote that Britain has roughly 1,000 days to prepare with allies to "fight and win." The Kremlin has warned that British facilities in Ukraine could become "legitimate targets" if used for long-range strikes against Russia.
Data obtained under freedom of information laws shows 340 drone-related security incidents at or near Ministry of Defence sites in the year to August 2026, up from 250 in 2025 and 126 the year before, highlighting vulnerability to Russian and Iranian drone activity.
Climate and Food Security Risks
Record-breaking heatwaves this summer have caused drought and wildfires, prompting analysts at Shore Capital to warn of the worst food security crisis in decades. The National Farmers Union reports dairy farmers are already using winter feed as grass stops growing, increasing reliance on imports.
