2026-08-27 13:28:01
Brits could be told to stock up on bottled water and tinned food as ministers draw up a new campaign to prepare households for major emergencies.
The advice is expected to form part of a wider “home defence” push aimed at helping families cope with severe disruption caused by cyber attacks, extreme weather or hostile state action.
Government officials told the Financial Times the planned social media campaign would focus on simple ways households can improve their resilience.
Referring to Cold War advice in the US, one government official said: “It won’t be anything like ‘duck and cover.”
They added: “But there will be practical advice on things you can do to improve domestic resilience, like having some bottled water and tinned food. It will be common sense, not scaremongering.”
The move comes as ministers accelerate work on the Government’s “war book”, a manual setting out how Britain would respond to external threats.
The document was last updated in 2004 and work on a new version has been stepped up following warnings about the potential for conflict involving Russia and Nato.
Concerns over cyber warfare have also grown after hackers linked to Iran were suspected of attacking a small UK energy facility.
Energy experts have warned that parts of Britain’s power infrastructure could be vulnerable to cyber attacks, raising the prospect of disruption to homes and businesses.
Dieter Helm, professor of economic policy at Oxford University, said the UK’s energy system was “very vulnerable” to cyber attacks and urged ministers to take the threat more seriously.
Potential targets could include electricity links with Europe, gas infrastructure and offshore wind farms.
However, Downing Street has insisted Britain has “one of the most resilient energy systems in the world”.
Officials are also reviewing the use of emergency phone alerts after an alert was issued over wildfires across England and Wales earlier this month.
The Cabinet Office said: “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.”
The proposed advice would not mean Britain is expecting an imminent attack, with officials stressing that the campaign would be about sensible preparation rather than causing panic.
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