UK launches Be Ready campaign; much of the advice is unchanged
A three-year public campaign begins with practical steps for temporary disruption to essential services. The Cabinet Office highlights three days of preparedness, small supplies of food and water, and free actions such as checking eligibility for the Priority Services Register.
The campaign combines supplies with low-cost planning and support for neighbours. Its current checklist provides a more specific household starting point than the campaign headline alone.
What changed
The branding and messaging are new. The government explicitly says much of its household advice has been in place since May 2024.
Who this is for
UK households preparing for temporary disruption, with arrangements tailored to people who may need extra support.
What the official guidance says
- The current Be Ready checklist recommends three days of non-perishable food and bottled drinking water. It specifies three litres per person per day for drinking, with more needed for cooking and washing.
- Build supplies gradually, starting with what your household already has.
Dates & context
The campaign announcement is dated 22 October 2026. The current checklist is undated: its three-day wording is confirmed, but this source does not establish when that wording first appeared.
Read the original sources
Nations Prepare provides an independent original summary. Follow current local authority instructions in an emergency.