The UK government has launched a campaign urging households to prepare emergency supply kits capable of sustaining them for three days, as the country faces mounting threats from cyber-attacks, extreme weather and potential supply chain disruption.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting told an audience in Telford on Thursday that the public needs to think more seriously about how they would cope with natural disasters, cyber incidents or state-sponsored terrorism, according to BBC News – UK.
The government’s “Be Ready” initiative encourages families to stockpile non-perishable food, bottled water, torches, sleeping bags and first aid supplies. Officials also recommend keeping an FM radio to receive updates during outages, along with a written note of national and local radio station frequencies.
Growing threats to everyday services
Streeting highlighted “increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks” on businesses and potential supply chain disruption caused by hostile state actors or terrorists. He asked households to consider practical scenarios such as payment systems at local supermarkets going down.
“Those are the sorts of everyday challenges and threats that we could well face. And it’s right that we ask the country to be ready for those things and to ask everyone to do their bit,” he said.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis MP said the guidance would help emergency services prioritise those who need greater support during crises and improve national resilience overall. He noted that similar campaigns in France, Ireland and the Netherlands have made such advice “a normal part of everyday life”.
UK lags behind European neighbours
Last month Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle warned that the strongest El Niño event in a generation would bring more extreme storms to Britain, urging households to build up food stocks for greater resilience.
A National Audit Office report released in the same period found that UK households are less prepared for emergencies than their counterparts in countries such as Finland and Sweden. The report also warned that Britain’s food supply chain remains vulnerable to disease outbreaks, cyber-attacks and extreme weather events.
The government’s national security strategy, launched last year, stated that the UK must “actively prepare for the possibility of the UK coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario”. It referenced Russia’s war against Ukraine and Iranian hostile activity on British soil as part of an era of confrontation threatening security.
Incidents could leave the public without access to essential services including mains water, sewage systems, phones and the internet. The strategy emphasised reducing reliance on others and ensuring UK supply chains and energy security can be maintained even during crises.
What this means for Poles in the UK
Polish residents in the UK should follow the same preparedness guidance as all households. Build a three-day emergency kit containing bottled water (at least two litres per person per day), tinned or dried food that does not require cooking, a battery-powered or wind-up torch, a first aid kit, essential medications, and warm clothing or sleeping bags. Keep an FM radio for emergency broadcasts if internet and mobile networks fail.
Consider practical scenarios: what would you do if payment systems went down at your local shop, or if a cyber-attack disrupted online banking? How would you manage without running water or electricity for several days? Write down important phone numbers, as you may not be able to access your mobile contacts.
The government’s advice applies to everyone in the UK regardless of nationality. Emergency services will prioritise vulnerable people during major incidents, so preparing your household in advance means resources can go where they are needed most. If you rent, discuss emergency plans with your landlord or flatmates, particularly regarding heating and water shutoffs.
