Andy Burnham said unexpected weather events are becoming ‘more and more common’ as he faced questions about the emergency kit list Brits are encouraged to make sure they stockpile
Andy Burnham has defended urging families to stockpile emergency kits at home – warning unexpected events are becoming “more and more common”.
The Prime Minister said the UK faces a winter of greater flooding ahead of a summit to learn from the summer’s wildfires. The government has issued a list of items people should have ready in the event of an emergency – including water, tinned food and battery-powered radios.
Mr Burnham also suggested people should be allowed a glass of wine to get them through a crisis after Angela Rayner previously joked a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc would be in her survival kit.
Asked about the Housing Secretary’s comment, he said: “I’m not sure that that’s the top of the list in terms of the advice that we’re giving to the public.
“You need to have a clear head when it comes to a challenging situation. So some tins of food, some bottled water, I think maybe. But I’m sure people are allowed a glass or two as well to get them through a difficult situation.”
Last month Ms Rayner told Times Radio her emergency kit would include mascara, concealer, a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, baked beans and a tin of custard.
Advice issued on Thursday said Britons should make sure they have three days of water, non-perishable food and items like torches and radios to get through an emergency.
Mr Burnham said: “We’re having the conversation with people about being better prepared because we’re living in a world where unexpected events seem to be becoming more and more common.”
It comes as parts of the country were battered by Storm Austen, with thousands of homes left without power and flights having to be cancelled. Further amber weather warnings for wind have been issued by the Met Office over the weekend.
The PM said: “Obviously, weather events, and we’re in a situation today where the UK is facing storms and obviously, we feel for the people without power in Cornwall right now. It is just having those supplies in the house to get you through those moments. So we are having that conversation about resilience.
“That’s why we’re holding this summit today, it’s why we’re putting the guidance out to the public. We potentially are facing a winter of greater flooding, so it’s about recognising all of those risks and taking action.”
Earlier Treasury minister James Murray admitted he has not followed the guidance on stockpiling supplies. The paymaster general told BBC Breakfast that he had a stockpile of coffee, adding: “If you look at, say, Ireland or other countries in Europe like France and Netherlands, they’ve had this system for quite a long time, the idea of having a bit of stuff at home to protect yourselves in case something goes wrong.
“So it’s quite normal in other countries. I think it’s a bit more interesting here because we haven’t really talked about it as a country in recent years.”
Asked what he had stockpiled, he said: “I’ve got quite a lot of coffee in my house… it’s for individual people to take choices. I’m not going to say: `Here’s a Government shopping list.'” He added: “I’m not going to pretend I’ve followed all that advice myself yet.”
Ministers are ramping up plans to prepare for extreme weather in the UK. On Thursday the government announced military planes and helicopters will be equipped to fight wildfires after Britain faced a summer of extreme heat.
Meanwhile, Security Minister Dan Jarvis has launched a public awareness campaign to ensure families can prepare for everyday services being disrupted by extreme weather or other events like cyberattacks.
The “Be Ready” campaign urges Brits to keep a small supply at home, including non-perishable food and bottled water, and to sign up to the Priority Services Register, a service that helps gas, water, and electricity companies identify customers that may need extra support in an emergency.
The ‘Be Ready’ Checklist
- Bottled water for three days, three litres per person per day for drinking. More would be needed for other tasks such as cooking and washing.
- Non-perishable food for three days, such as food with a long shelf life that doesn’t need refrigeration or cooking e.g. tinned meat, fish or vegetables, dried fruit and nuts.
- Hygiene products like hand sanitiser, wet wipes, hygiene and bathroom products.
- Torch (and spare batteries) and blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing.
- FM radio (battery/wind-up) and charged up power bank.
- Cash (mix of coins and notes) and cards, copies of IDs/documents, important phone numbers and information
- First aid kit / first aid items and essential medication and medical supplies.
- Baby formula. Ready-made or ‘ready-to feed’ formula is best, as you may not be able to boil water to makeup powdered formula safely. Nappies and wipes.
- Pet food and bottled water.