# UK government emergency preparedness initiatives > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-government-emergency-preparedness-initiatives > Updated: 2026-10-26T20:13:00.000Z. Sources: 110. Developments: 5. The British government has transitioned from issuing specific guidance regarding potential fourteen-day power outages to launching a broader, long-term resilience strategy. Initial guidance focused on practical preparations for extended blackouts, advising citizens to stockpile batteries, bottled water, candles, matches, radios, and canned food. It also provided technical advice on maintaining food safety in refrigerators and freezers and suggested keeping cash available in case digital payments fail. This has evolved into the ‘Be Ready’ campaign, a three-year national initiative aimed at preparing households and businesses for up to three days of disruption to essential services. The campaign recommends maintaining a three-day supply of bottled water—approximately three liters per person per day—alongside non-perishable food, first-aid kits, torches, sleeping bags, and battery-powered or hand-crank radios. This broader scope addresses emergencies such as severe weather, flooding, wildfires, and cyber attacks affecting power, water, sewage, and telecommunications. Defense Secretary Wes Streeting has emphasized the need to strengthen resilience against escalating threats, including state-sponsored terrorism, cyberattacks, and climate-related disasters. Streeting noted that as hostile states may expand their military and economic capabilities by 2030, the UK has roughly 1,000 days to bolster its readiness. Officials have specifically highlighted vulnerabilities in digital and food infrastructure, noting that cyberattacks on supermarket supply chains or payment systems could paralyze local shops and card networks, resulting in real-world shortages and the loss of electronic banking capabilities. The campaign aims to empower citizens to manage the initial stages of a crisis independently while emergency services respond. ## Claims - Households are advised to store nine litres of water per person for a three-day period. (disputed by 47 sources) - Households are advised to store three liters of water per person per day. (disputed by 2 sources) - The UK government launched the ‘Be Ready’ campaign to improve national resilience. (corroborated by 48 sources) - Wes Streeting identified Russia and hostile state actors as potential threats to critical infrastructure. (corroborated by 42 sources) - Recommended kit items include a hand-crank FM radio and cash. (corroborated by 41 sources) - The campaign addresses threats from extreme weather, cyberattacks, and hostile states. (corroborated by 34 sources) - Security Minister Dan Jarvis stated the campaign aims to improve national resilience and reduce pressure on emergency services. (corroborated by 31 sources) - Defense Minister Wes Streeting identified state-sponsored terrorism as a threat. (corroborated by 31 sources) - The UK is aligning its preparedness with France, Ireland, and the Netherlands. (corroborated by 9 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: United Kingdom launches national resilience campaign for emergency preparedness The UK government is urging citizens to stock three days of emergency supplies to prepare for potential disruptions from cyberattacks, floods, wildfires, and utility outages. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-kingdom-launches-national-resilience-campaign-for-emergency-preparedness ### 2026-10-26: United Kingdom issues national emergency preparedness guidance The UK government's new emergency preparedness guidance has triggered a surge in demand for battery-powered radios, flashlights, and power banks as citizens prepare for potential 72-hour service disruptions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-kingdom-issues-national-emergency-preparedness-guidance ### 2026-10-24: United Kingdom launches Be Ready emergency preparedness campaign The UK has launched the “Be Ready” campaign, advising households to stockpile 72 hours of food, water, and essentials to prepare for cyberattacks, natural disasters, and geopolitical threats. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-government-launches-be-ready-preparedness-campaign ### 2026-10-22: UK Government launches ‘Be Ready’ emergency preparedness campaign The UK has launched the ‘Be Ready’ campaign, advising citizens to stockpile three days of food, water, and essentials to prepare for cyberattacks, extreme weather, and threats from hostile states. 84 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-government-launches-be-ready-emergency-preparedness-campaign ### 2026-10-10: UK government issues guidance on potential power outages The UK government is advising citizens on preventive measures for potential 14-day power outages, including stockpiling water, food, batteries, and cash. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-government-issues-guidance-on-potential-power-outages --- Cite as: UK government emergency preparedness initiatives. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-government-emergency-preparedness-initiatives