Brits will be encouraged to store water and tinned foods as part of the government’s new emergency preparation planning campaign.
The measures are intended to ensure “domestic resilience” in the event of major supply chain disruptions caused by climate change-induced extreme weather or military and cyber attacks by hostile nations, the Financial Times (FT) revealed.
“It won’t be anything like ‘duck and cover’,” one government official told the FT, referring to the 1950s and 60s US cold war campaign to protect individuals in the wake of a nuclear explosion.
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 UK produced a number of its own nuclear safety booklets including Protect and Survive in the mid 70s, which was intended to be sent to every house in the event that a nuclear catastrophe was imminent.
The new social media campaign is intended to ensure all households have basic supplies and knowledge of what to do in a crisis, so the government can focus resources on helping the most vulnerable.
Planning for disasters has become more of a focus for the government after a summer of extreme weather, including heatwaves, wildfires and drought declared across 70% of England and the entirety of Wales.
It also comes after a cyber-attack on an unidentified energy plant last month, reported to be by Iranian hackers affiliated with the current regime.
The government has also stepped up work on the ‘war book’ – a manual intended to outline the defence of the UK against external threats. The book was previously updated in 2004
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.”
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