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Andy Burnham advises Brits against adding alcohol to their emergency supply kits

Independent • October 23, 2026

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The UK government has launched a three-year 'Be Ready' campaign urging households to stock three days of key supplies in case of disruptions to essential services.

Prime minister Andy Burnham advised the public against prioritising alcohol in emergency kits, stressing the need to maintain a clear head in difficult situations.

Recommended emergency supplies include non-perishable food, bottled water, first-aid kits, hand sanitiser, pet food and baby food.

Defence secretary Wes Streeting warned that hostile cyberattacks and state- terrorism could disrupt supermarket payment systems and critical supply chains.

Security minister Dan Jarvis explained that household preparedness will help relieve pressure on emergency services and bring national resilience in line with European counterparts.

The full story

This article is one source in a clustered incident — the cluster page carries the summary, timeline and every other outlet covering it.

UK Government Urges Citizens to Stockpile for Cyber and Climate Emergencies The UK government has launched the 'Be Ready' campaign, urging households to prepare for potential disruptions from cyberattacks and severe weather. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the need for citizens to stockpile essential supplies, including food, water, and first aid kits, to sustain themselves for at least three days. This initiative comes amid growing concerns over state-sponsored terrorism and the impact of climate change on infrastructure. Recent cyber vulnerabilities, particularly a critical flaw in the PHP programming language, have heightened fears of cyber incidents affecting essential services. The campaign aims to improve national resilience and reduce pressure on emergency services during crises. Citizens are advised to keep a mix of cash, hygiene products, and emergency supplies readily available. The government has also launched a public awareness campaign to ensure that households are prepared for unexpected events. 24 sources 66

Extracted Entities

Campaigns (1)

Be Ready