UK households are being advised by the government to keep small supplies of cash, bottled water, and tinned food at home in case of emergencies or war. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting warned that Britain faces growing disruptions from fires, floods, and enemy attacks, including cyber warfare, while calling for a whole society approach to strengthen national resilience.
Government lists recommended supplies for short-term emergency kits
The government has released a list of supplies for an emergency kit that households should keep on hand for short-term incidents lasting several days, such as power failures or water supply disruptions. Recommended provisions include a battery or wind-up torch, a portable power bank to charge mobile phones, a battery or wind-up radio, spare batteries, a first-aid kit with waterproof plasters, bandages, antiseptic, and hand sanitiser or wet wipes.
For hydration and nutrition, the World Health Organisation recommends a minimum of 2.5 to 3 litres of drinking water per person per day for survival, while 10 litres per person daily provides for basic cooking and hygiene needs. Non-perishable food items that do not require cooking, such as ready-to-eat tinned meat, fruit, or vegetables, should be stored alongside a tin opener, pet food, and baby supplies like nappies and ready-to-feed formula.
Did You Know? Data obtained under freedom of information laws show that approximately 340 security incidents involving rogue drones were reported at or near Ministry of Defence sites in the year to August 2026, compared to 250 incidents recorded in 2025 and 126 the year prior.
Government focuses on national resilience amid geopolitical tensions and heatwaves
Wes Streeting urged the public to remain alert rather than alarmed regarding potential risks during a statement to The Sun ahead of the Labour Party conference. Andy Burnham’s government is focusing heavily on national resilience in the wake of threats from Russia, accelerating work on its war book manual for national defense and updating the national risk register to include interference in the democratic process.
Alongside geopolitical tensions, the government remains concerned about record-breaking summer heatwaves that have plunged parts of the country into drought and caused numerous wildfires. Analysts from the investment bank Shore Capital warned that extreme heat and ongoing dry conditions put Britain at risk of its worst food security crisis in decades by destroying farmer harvests and increasing reliance on foreign imports. The National Farmers Union noted that the situation is increasingly concerning, with dairy farmers already forced to use winter feed because grass growth has stopped.
Government advises storing specific emergency medical and water supplies
What specific items are recommended for an emergency first aid kit?
The government advises including waterproof plasters, bandages, a thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash solution, sterile dressings and gloves, medical tape for dressings, and tweezers.
How much water does the government suggest storing per person?
While the World Health Organisation recommends 2.5 to 3 litres per person per day for basic survival, the guidance notes that 10 litres per person per day provides for basic cooking, hygiene needs, and comfort during an outage.
What agricultural concerns have analysts raised regarding recent weather?
Analysts from Shore Capital and the National Farmers Union warned that back-to-back heatwaves and prolonged droughts could ruin harvests, leading to food shortages and forcing dairy farmers to rely on winter feed.
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