UK GOVERNMENT ADVISES HOUSEHOLDS TO KEEP THREE DAYS OF SUPPLIES

The UK Government’s Be Ready campaign advises households to keep at least three days’ worth of bottled water and long-life food for a civil emergency. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the guidance covers disruptions caused by severe weather or cyber-attacks. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said he keeps beans, soup and Twiglets at home. Burnham described the advice as a longer-term precaution and said it did not call for panic buying. “It’s about just taking sensible measures to have enough in the house to tide you over should there be a difficult situation,” he said.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner had previously joked that her emergency supplies would include a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. Asked about wine, Burnham said people needed a clear head in a difficult situation. He added that they could have “a glass or two” after dealing with it. Burnham made the comments as storms affected the UK and people in Cornwall faced power cuts. Speaking in Liverpool, he rejected a suggestion that the advice shifted responsibility for emergencies from the Government to households.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the country needed to prepare for what he called “state-sponsored terrorism” targeting everyday infrastructure. He identified Russia and other hostile powers as potential sources of that threat. Treasury minister James Murray said he had plenty of coffee at home but acknowledged that he was less prepared. Murray said individuals would choose which supplies to keep. The campaign’s guidance is similar to emergency advice given in some other European countries.