UK Prime Minister Urges Citizens to Prepare for Emergencies with Three-Day Supply Kit
Published 18:58 23 Oct 2026 GMT+1
Getting three days worth of food or water isn't a bad idea
The prime minister has recommended that Brits make sure they're stocked up on important items like tins of food and bottles of water as he warned that 'unexpected events seem to be becoming more and more common'.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about the issues facing the UK such as challenging weather and online disruptions which could knock people's lives and routines off kilter, Andy Burnham said it was important to have reserves of essentials.
He said: "You need to have a clear head when it comes to a challenging situation. So some tins of food, some bottled water, I think maybe."
He also referred to Housing Secretary Angela Rayner's joke that her own emergency kit would include a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, saying he was 'not sure that that’s the top of the list in terms of the advice' but reckoned people should be 'allowed a glass or two' to get through tough times.
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The prime minister said the country needed to be more resilient when the unexpected happens, and that involved having an emergency stash.
A lot of the things you need are likely to be in your cupboards (Getty Stock Photo)
The government's 'be ready' checklist involves having enough supplies to keep going for three days without water or power, and if you're putting it together the chances are you've likely got plenty of the things you need already in your cupboards.
If you've been prescribed medication then you're also recommended to have a stash of your essential medications and supplies, and are reminded that if you need to restock then you're best off doing so at least five days ahead of time.
Tinned food and bottled water were high on the list of things to keep a stash of (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Parents should keep some baby formula, ideally ones that don't require you to boil water, as well as nappies and wipes.
For pet owners make sure you have a supply of food and water for them as well.
Burnham said his own emergency stash would probably include beans, soup and Twiglets, and explained why it was important to have something in reserve.
"we’re having the conversation with people about being better prepared because we’re living in a world where unexpected events seem to be becoming more and more common," he said.
“Obviously, weather events, and we’re in a situation today where the UK is facing storms and obviously, we feel for the people without power in Cornwall right now.
“It is just having those supplies in the house to get you through those moments. So we are having that conversation about resilience.”
Featured Image Credit: Alastair Grant - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Topics: UK News