Government Urges Emergency Stockpiling Amidst Criticism
New 'Be Ready' campaign advises three days of essentials, sparking debate over practical versus personal preparedness.
Carla Rooney
The government's 'Be Ready' campaign advises households to stockpile food, water, and other essentials.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the advice. He stated people need better preparation for unexpected events. He acknowledged such incidents will become increasingly common, citing current weather like Storm Austen, which left Cornwall residents without power.
The comprehensive list of recommended items includes hand sanitiser, wet wipes, toiletries, pet food, baby supplies, a torch, blankets, a charged power bank, cash, a first aid kit, and copies of important documents.
The campaign spreads its message through radio and social media. It aims to prepare households for severe weather, supply chain disruptions, and outages affecting power, water, phones, and the internet.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting also urged Britons to prepare for food shortages, particularly if "state-sponsored terrorism" disrupts daily life. Streeting questioned public readiness for sophisticated cyberattacks on businesses and disruptions to essential supply chains caused by hostile state actors or terrorists.
Wes Streeting indicated that He raised concerns about coping if supermarket payment systems were to fail. This echoed claims from the chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation that Russian cyber-hackers target "pinch points in the food supply system.
The campaign faces criticism. Some accuse the government of issuing "bossy lectures" and "encouraging panic" instead of increasing defence spending. Treasury minister James Murray quipped that he stockpiles coffee at home, while Neil O'Brien suggested ministers focus on larger issues rather than ensuring access to a flat white.
Burnham clarified that alcohol should not be "top of the list" for emergency preparedness. He stressed the need for a "clear head" in challenging situations. "You need to have a clear head when it comes to a challenging situation," the Prime Minister stated. He added, "I’m not sure that that’s the top of the list in terms of the advice that we’re giving to the public."
But I’m sure people are allowed a glass or two as well to get them through a difficult situation.
Despite this, the Prime Minister conceded, "But I’m sure people are allowed a glass or two as well to get them through a difficult situation." This follows Angela Rayner's previous light-hearted comment about packing mascara, concealer, and a bottle of sauvignon blanc in a "disaster bag" for emergencies.