Defence Secretary Wes Streeting issued a warning for Britons to be ‘ready’ for potential disruption (Image: Getty)
Britons have been urged to stockpile nine essential items including tinned food and bottled water. The updated guidance from the Government lists basics for people to keep in stock to help them manage for three days in the event of an emergency as part of its “Be Ready” campaign.
In a speech today, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “How would we cope if the payment systems of the supermarkets went down?
“Those are the sorts of everyday challenges and threats we could well face, and it is right we ask the country to be ready for those things and ask everybody to do their bit.”
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said of the updated guidance: “Those who can follow this advice should follow this advice. By taking simple steps to be ready for everyday emergencies like severe storms, people can reduce pressure on emergency services, helping them prioritise people who need more support in an emergency.”
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The Express has rounded up the nine items below:
Water
People should have enough bottled water for three days, which is three litres per person per day for drinking. However, more would be needed for tasks such as cooking and washing.
Food
Households should have non-perishable food in stock for three days such as tinned meat, fish or vegetables and dried fruit and nuts.
Hygiene
Hygiene and bathroom products such as hand sanitiser and wet wipes.
Light and warmth
People should have a torch with spare batteries at the ready, as well as blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing.
Communication and information
Households are advised to have a battery or wind-up radio, along with a charged power bank.
Money and documents
Cash with a mix of coins and notes, as well as cards. People should also copies of IDs to hand and a list of important phone numbers and information.
Medical and health
A first aid kit and essential medication and other supplies.
Baby products
Those with babies should have baby formula, ideally “ready to feed”, along with nappies and wipes.
Pet products
Pet owners should have plenty of pet food and bottled water for their animal.
The 9 Items Brits Are Urged to Stockpile After New Warning
Households across Britain are being reminded of the importance of keeping essential supplies at home as concerns about emergencies, supply disruptions and rising living costs continue to shape public debate. From unexpected power cuts to severe weather and interruptions to transport networks, situations can arise in which everyday products become temporarily difficult to obtain.
The message behind emergency preparedness is straightforward: families should be able to manage for a short period if shops close, deliveries are delayed or essential services are disrupted. That does not mean people should panic-buy or empty supermarket shelves. Sensible preparation involves gradually building a modest reserve of items that a household genuinely needs, checking expiry dates and replacing supplies as they are used.
For many people, the challenge is balancing preparedness with the cost of living. Buying large quantities at once can put unnecessary pressure on household budgets, particularly when food, electricity and other essentials are already expensive. A practical approach is to prioritise affordable basics, use products regularly and avoid purchasing items that are unsuitable for the household.
Here are nine categories of supplies worth considering when preparing for a possible disruption.
1. Bottled drinking water
Water is one of the most important supplies to consider because households depend on it for drinking, preparing food and maintaining basic hygiene. Although interruptions to mains water are not an everyday occurrence for most people, severe weather, infrastructure problems or other emergencies can occasionally affect supply.
Keeping some drinking water available can provide reassurance if normal services are temporarily disrupted. The quantity required depends on the number of people in the household, their needs and the likely duration of an interruption.
Water should be stored in clean, food-safe containers and kept away from direct sunlight and chemicals. Bottled water should be used according to its storage instructions, while containers filled at home should be properly cleaned and refreshed as appropriate.
Families with babies, older relatives or people who have additional water needs should plan accordingly. It is also worth considering how water would be obtained if an emergency lasted longer than expected.
The goal is not to purchase excessive quantities. A manageable reserve that can be maintained and rotated is more useful than a large stockpile that consumes valuable space or household money.
2. Long-life food
Non-perishable food can make a temporary disruption easier to manage. Tinned vegetables, beans, soup, fruit, rice, pasta, crackers and other long-life products can provide useful meal options when shopping becomes difficult.
Households should choose food they already enjoy and know how to prepare. Stocking up on unfamiliar products that nobody wants to eat can lead to waste, while buying ingredients that require extensive cooking may be less helpful if electricity or gas supplies are interrupted.
A balanced selection is preferable to filling cupboards with one product. Combining carbohydrates, protein sources and fruit or vegetables can help provide more varied meals.
People with allergies, dietary restrictions or specific nutritional requirements should make sure their reserves meet those needs. Parents should also consider familiar foods for young children, while households with pets may want to keep appropriate pet food available.
Rather than buying everything at once, families can add a few extra long-life items to their usual shopping trips when their budget allows. Using older products first and replacing them as necessary helps keep the reserve fresh.
3. Hygiene and bathroom essentials
Personal hygiene products become especially important if a water supply is interrupted or normal bathroom facilities are difficult to use.
Useful items include hand sanitiser, wet wipes, toilet paper, tissues, rubbish bags and any personal hygiene products regularly used by household members. These supplies can help people maintain basic cleanliness while waiting for services to return.
Families should consider their individual circumstances. Older people, people with disabilities and anyone who relies on particular hygiene products may need additional supplies.
The official guidance recommends building up these essentials gradually rather than purchasing everything in one trip. <Cite refs={[“turn148304search2″,”turn148304search5”]}/>
4. A torch, spare batteries and warm clothing
A power cut can leave homes without lighting, heating or the ability to charge electrical devices. A reliable torch with spare batteries can therefore be more useful than relying entirely on candles, which introduce a fire risk.
Blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing are also worth keeping accessible, particularly during colder months. If heating stops working during severe weather, these items can help household members retain warmth while they follow official advice and wait for repairs.
Store the equipment somewhere easy to find in darkness. Check batteries periodically and ensure everyone in the household knows where the supplies are kept.
5. A battery-powered radio and a charged power bank
When mobile networks, internet connections or electricity supplies are disrupted, obtaining reliable information can become more difficult.
A battery-powered or wind-up FM radio provides another way to receive emergency updates. A charged power bank can help keep a mobile phone running so people can contact relatives, access information or call for assistance when necessary.
It is sensible to keep charging cables with the power bank and check its charge regularly. Households should also write down important telephone numbers rather than relying entirely on contacts stored on a phone.
These measures are particularly helpful when a power failure affects several services at once. The government’s checklist includes both a radio and a power bank as part of its household preparedness advice. <Cite refs={[“turn148304search2″,”turn148304search5”]}/>
6. Cash and copies of important documents
Electronic payment systems and cash machines may become temporarily unavailable during some disruptions. Keeping a modest amount of cash at home, including a mixture of notes and coins, can provide an alternative way to pay for essential purchases.
There is no universal amount that every household needs. The appropriate sum depends on individual circumstances, likely expenses and what can safely be kept at home.
It is also useful to keep copies of important documents, such as identification, insurance details and relevant medical information. A written list of emergency contacts can be valuable if phones lose power or access to digital records becomes difficult.
Documents should be stored securely, ideally in a waterproof folder, and sensitive personal information should be protected from unauthorised access.
7. A first-aid kit and essential medicines
A basic first-aid kit can help households deal with minor injuries while waiting for normal services to become available. Supplies may include plasters, bandages, antiseptic products, dressings, medical tape and a thermometer.
People who take regular prescription medicines should plan ahead to avoid running out. The government recommends allowing sufficient time to request repeat prescriptions, with its guidance advising people to request them up to five working days before they need their medicine. <Cite refs={[“turn148304search2″,”turn148304search5”]}/>
Anyone who depends on medical equipment should consider what would happen during a power cut and follow the advice of their healthcare provider or equipment supplier.
Medicines should be stored according to their instructions, and people should not stockpile prescription drugs beyond what is appropriate and permitted. The objective is to maintain continuity of necessary care, not to accumulate unnecessary supplies.
8. Baby formula, nappies and wipes
Households with babies may need additional preparations because infants depend on specific products and feeding arrangements.
Parents should consider keeping a suitable supply of formula, nappies, wipes and other essential baby products. Where formula is required, ready-to-feed products may be particularly useful during an emergency because preparing powdered formula safely can be more difficult if clean water, electricity or suitable facilities are unavailable.
Families should follow NHS and product-specific guidance on infant feeding and safe storage. Supplies must be appropriate for the child’s age and needs.
Parents should also consider any other essential items they regularly use, rather than relying on a general checklist alone.
9. Pet food and drinking water
Pets are also part of the household emergency plan. Owners should consider keeping enough appropriate food and drinking water for several days, alongside any essential supplies their animals require.
Cats, dogs and other animals may have specific dietary or medical needs, so their preparations should reflect their normal routines. Pet owners should also think about carriers, leads and any arrangements needed if they have to leave home temporarily.
Planning for animals in advance can reduce stress during an emergency and help owners avoid searching for supplies when shops or transport services are disrupted.
What is behind the new warning?
The UK government’s updated Be Ready campaign was announced on 22 October 2026. It encourages households to prepare for up to three days of disruption caused by events such as severe weather, power cuts, interruptions to water supplies or communication failures. <Cite refs={[“turn148304search0″,”turn148304search1”]}/>
The advice is about practical preparation, not a prediction that a major emergency is imminent. Authorities are encouraging people to build up essential supplies gradually, check what they already have and make a simple plan for their household.
The government recommends approximately three litres of drinking water per person per day for three days, with additional water potentially needed for cooking and washing. It also advises keeping food that does not require refrigeration or cooking. <Cite refs={[“turn148304search2″,”turn148304search3”]}/>
Households that may need extra assistance during an outage should consider joining the Priority Services Register if eligible. This free service helps utility companies identify customers who may require additional support during interruptions to essential services.
Preparation without panic
The nine categories offer a practical starting point, but they should not be treated as a demand to rush out and buy everything immediately. Many families already have a torch, tinned food, basic medicines and other useful supplies at home.
A sensible approach is to check existing cupboards, identify gaps and add a few items during ordinary shopping trips when the budget allows. Supplies should be checked regularly, with expired products replaced and frequently used items rotated.
The aim is to help households manage a temporary disruption with less stress, not to create shortages through panic-buying. Preparing a small emergency kit, keeping important contacts accessible and discussing a household plan can all make a difference.
Britain’s latest preparedness advice is ultimately a reminder that everyday services cannot always be taken for granted. A modest supply of essential items can help families cope if normal routines are interrupted, while careful planning can ensure that preparation remains affordable and proportionate.