The UK government is preparing to launch a new campaign that will advise citizens to stock up on tinned food and bottled water as part of efforts to improve national resilience. The Cabinet Office initiative aims to ensure people are prepared for national emergencies, including extreme weather events and potential attacks from hostile states.
Sources told the Guardian that the campaign's goal is to ensure most households have basic supplies and knowledge to cope in a crisis. This approach is intended to free up immediate government resources to assist the most vulnerable members of society.
Planning for various disasters, such as cyber-attacks, extreme heat, and flooding, has reportedly intensified in recent months following incidents both within the UK and internationally. The plans also include an internal reassessment of government preparations for a military attack on Britain by a hostile state.
Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh is understood to be coordinating crisis planning across Whitehall departments to facilitate swifter assistance to affected communities. The Cabinet Office stated, "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."