UK urges households to stock three days of food and water for emergencies

Liverpool, UK, October 24, 2026 — UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has urged households to keep emergency supplies of bottled water and non-perishable food to prepare for potential crises, including severe weather, cyberattacks and other major disruptions.

Burnham said unexpected events appeared to be becoming more frequent, making it important for people to maintain basic supplies at home. Speaking at a wildfire resilience summit in Liverpool, he said the advice was intended to encourage practical preparation rather than panic.

The government recommends that households keep enough essential supplies to last three days during an emergency. Its checklist advises storing nine litres of water per person, along with non-perishable food such as tinned meat and vegetables or dried fruit.

The recommended supplies also include an FM radio powered by batteries or a wind-up mechanism, hand sanitiser, wet wipes, toiletries, pet food, baby supplies, a torch, blankets, a charged power bank, cash, a first-aid kit and copies of important documents.

The government says an FM radio could be particularly useful during a severe power outage because the BBC would prioritise broadcasting news and health and safety information during a national crisis.

Burnham said people should take sensible steps to ensure they have enough supplies to manage difficult situations. He cited the ongoing storms affecting parts of the UK and expressed concern for people without electricity in Cornwall.

The guidance comes amid concerns about the resilience of the UK’s food supply chain and the growing threat of cyberattacks. The National Audit Office warned last month that the country’s food supply chain faced risks from cyber threats and the climate crisis. It also said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had not done enough in recent years to strengthen supply-chain resilience.

The chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation, which represents businesses transporting temperature-controlled food, also told the BBC that Russian cyberattackers were targeting the UK and understood vulnerabilities in the food supply system.