Oliver Dowden to tell Brits to stockpile three days worth of emergency supplies in case of national crisis

22 May 2024, 09:03

The Deputy Prime Minister is set to tell householders they should prepare for three days of self sufficiency
The Deputy Prime Minister is set to tell householders they should prepare for three days of self sufficiency. Picture: Gov.uk
EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

The UK government is set to urge households to stockpile emergency supplies to survive for 72 hours without help, in preparation for potential national crises.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is set to unveil the "Prepare Campaign" at the London Defence Conference, aimed at significantly boosting the country's resilience planning.

Every household should have an emergency pack to help them survive for three days in the event of a national emergency, the Deputy Prime Minister will say later.

Dowden will argue that homes need to become self-sufficient in case of emergencies like floods, power outages, cyber-attacks or war.

The campaign comes after a new poll found alarming levels of unpreparedness among the British public.

Set to be published by the London Defence Conference on Wednesday, the polling shows more than 40 per cent of people do not have three days’ supplies of non-perishable food and water and just 15 per cent have an emergency supply kit in their homes.

Read more: Rain and thunderstorms to bring flooding and travel disruption across UK as Met Office issues amber weather warnings

Read more: UK inflation falls to 2.3% in April but Jeremy Hunt warns 'cost of living crisis not over'

Mr Dowden has told reporters he is personally prepared for an emergency
Mr Dowden has told reporters he is personally prepared for an emergency. Picture: Alamy

In previewing the initiative, Dowden specifically cited flooding risks to highlight the importance of stocking up.

The Deputy Prime Minister framed the campaign as easing burdens on the government during crises.

Dowden also claimed to be personally prepared, stating: "I can assure you that we've got plenty of resilience in the cupboards and we've got some water in the shed. And we've got some better battery-powered torches."

The most common risk is localised flooding, according to the government’s risk register, leading to power and water outages. But among the 100 other potential threats people should be prepared for include another pandemic, a mass cyberattack that cuts off the internet, disruption to UK space systems that affect GPS signals — or, in an extreme case, could include conflict or even the potential for a nuclear attack in continental Europe.

Speaking to journalists before the launch of the new website, Dowden said flooding was the most common risk likely to be encountered by members of the public and highlighted how stocking up household cupboards would help.

“Localised flooding can lead to power outages and it can lead to water disruption,” Dowden said. “If you think about it, the time it takes a flood to recede, if you’re resilient for three days in simple terms, you’re not going to be worried about getting down to the shops in that period.”

Dowden added: “Every additional person that takes steps to make themselves resilient means that when a crisis hits, the government can focus more on the people that aren’t ready and aren’t resilient.”

The most common risk is localised flooding, according to the government’s risk register, leading to power and water outages.
The most common risk is localised flooding, according to the government’s risk register, leading to power and water outages. Picture: Alamy

What should you have in an emergency home kit?

  • A list of emergency contact numbers. This should be a paper copy, in case your mobile phone loses power.
  • A battery-operated torch and spare batteries, or a wind-up torch.
  • Battery-operated radio and spare batteries, or a wind-up radio.
  • Any essential medication and a first aid kit.
  • Three days’ supply of bottled water and ready-to-eat food that won’t go off.
  • Copies of important documents, such as insurance policies and birth certificates. Keep these in a waterproof bag.
  • Pencil, paper, penknife and whistle.
  • Spare keys to your home and car.
  • Spare glasses or contact lenses.
  • Baby and pet supplies if needed.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A VW van sits among burned-out homes in Malibu, California

‘It should have been toasted’: Retro blue VW van survives deadly LA wildfire

The Tour de France legend was subject of a home robbery a number of years ago, when burglars beat him and threatened to stab him in front of his wife and son.

Mark Cavendish shares horrific details after burglars held Zombie knife to cyclist's throat in front of son

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be defence secretary, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington

Senators grill Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s choice for Pentagon chief

Search and rescue workers dig through the rubble left behind by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California

Southern California faces new wildfire warnings as winds regain strength

Scarlett Vickers suffered an 11cm deep wound to the chest

Murder-accused father who 'stabbed daughter in heart' told emergency services they had been 'play fighting'

A new species of funnel-web spider has been discovered in Newcastle, Australia - even larger and more venomous than common Sydney funnel-web spiders.

New bigger and more venomous species of world’s deadliest spider found in Australia

BrewDog co-founder James Watt.

UK ‘one of world’s least work-oriented countries’ claims Brewdog founder - as he slams obsession with 'work-life balance'

Trump slammed for 'exploiting human tragedy' over LA wildfires - as niece labels the president-elect a 'chaos agent'

Trump slammed for 'exploiting human tragedy' amid LA wildfire row - as niece labels president-elect a 'chaos agent'

Police and private security officers near an opening to a gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, where hundreds of illegal miners are trapped

Rescuers bid to bring out survivors among hundreds trapped in South African mine

x

Police name two teenagers over fatal stabbing of 14-year-old boy on south London bus

Sevilla footballer Kike Salas has been detained by police

Spanish football star arrested over 'match fixing scam'

Britain's Princess Kate, center, visits The Royal Marsden Hospital, London

'It's a relief to now be in remission': Princess of Wales opens up about cancer treatment in surprise hospital visit

Exclusive
Suella Braverman has admitted she would be open to a coalition between the Conservatives and Reform

‘There is not space for two Conservative parties’: Suella Braverman calls for Tory election pact with Reform

Exclusive
Suella Braverman admits Conservatives 'could have done more' to probe grooming gangs amid calls for national inquiry

Suella Braverman admits Conservatives 'could have done more' to probe grooming gangs amid calls for national inquiry

A red model house created by artist Mikael Genberg and scheduled to launch into space on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Wednesday

Swedish artist’s model house could soon find permanent home on Moon

Nato chief Mark Rutte said the mission, named “Baltic Sentry”, will involve increased surveillance of ships

Nato launches mission to protect undersea cables amid heightened fears of Russian sabotage