The UK government is launching a new public information campaign that will encourage citizens to stock up on non-perishable food items and bottled water. The initiative, termed a 'national resilience campaign,' is designed to prepare households for severe disruptions that could arise from events such as extreme weather, cyber attacks, or hostile state actions.
Officials stated that the campaign will provide practical advice on simple measures individuals can take to enhance their preparedness in a crisis. These steps could include ensuring a supply of bottled water and tinned goods, particularly in scenarios where power or water services might be interrupted, or if shops are forced to close.
A government source described the advice as "common sense, not scaremongering," emphasizing that the goal is to increase domestic resilience. This effort is part of a broader push to bolster national security. Ministers are also reportedly updating contingency plans, referred to as the 'war book,' which outlines departmental responses to major threats. Earlier this year, Members of Parliament were informed about the largest home defense exercise in decades scheduled for the following year.
The campaign follows a recent incident where loud emergency alerts were sent to mobile phones across England and Wales warning of wildfire risks. While the government defended the alert as appropriate, some expressed concerns that the system should be reserved for more immediate threats to life, such as terrorist attacks. Separately, it was reported that hackers linked to Iran had previously disabled a UK power plant.
A spokesperson for the Cabinet Office affirmed the government's commitment to national security, stating, "Safeguarding national security is the first priority of any government. We're committed to raising awareness of simple steps households can take to make themselves more resilient, as well as driving forward the Home Defence Programme to build our country's preparedness for various threats."