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Original poster

Preparedness in the UK - or lack of

114 replies

adlitem · 25/02/2026 09:31

AIBU to wonder why the UK is not recommending preparedness?

An increasing number of countries in the EU now officially recommend basic preparedness - storing water, food, hygiene products and medicine for a few days. But the UK - nothing. Why? I would think the UK would be one of the more obvious countries to be attacked in the event of war, given its high profile status is politics and NATO. I also understand that the military is actively preparing for WW3 on the basis it is seen as very likely.

Are you preparing?

OP posts:
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Meadowfinch · 25/02/2026 09:51

It doesn't take much to cover the next few days or much space. I keep cartons of UHT milk, some four packs of tomatoes and beans, and enough flour & yeast for a few weeks bread. The contents of the freezer would keep us going for a week even without power.

I'm lucky that, being rural we have a well so water would not be an issue (would need boiling) and we have a wood burner & plenty of logs.

Catza · 25/02/2026 09:51

If the advice is only to prepare food, water and medicine for "a few days" than I don't really see why the government needs to do any shit stirring to alert people of this. Most people will have a couple of bottles of water and food in the cupboard to last them a few days. Those who don't are likely struggling anyway, war or no war.

Original poster
adlitem · 25/02/2026 09:50

Ninerainbows · 25/02/2026 09:46

But there isn't any communication if both electricity and phone networks are down. Many homes don't even have a landline. I genuinely don't think we can do much other than maybe have some bottled water and make sure babies have formula in.

I should imagine many people have enough to eat for a couple of days even if it's bread or (cold) soup. If they haven't then they probably don't have the money to stockpile.

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The recommendation in other countries is to have long term storable and easily preparable food in the house for 3 days. We tend to have mainly fresh food so wouldn't normally have more than a couple of cans of tuna. Water is a big one too - apparently it's 3ls per person, per day, so approx 36l stored. Basically what you would need for some days without access to shops or services.

Re comms, a wind up radio would do the trick as radio communications are more resilient. Or some kind of solar power bank to ensure you can access your phone (assuming no electrics but still emergency mobile networks).

OP posts:
goz · 25/02/2026 09:48

adlitem · 25/02/2026 09:40

I have two friends who are high up in the armed forces and the navy. Both said the same. Apparently the current prediction is 2029 and they are making arrangements accordingly.

But it's also consistent with what military figures have been saying in the news and in government policy documents for a while now. A couple of examples:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpqnlxr43zdo

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c035d05je2jo

Regardless though, other countries are - as I said - officially making preparedness recommendations.

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Utter nonsense.

Ninerainbows · 25/02/2026 09:46

adlitem · 25/02/2026 09:42

The guidance in places like Denmark is to ensure you have the ability to survive for a couple of days without help to allow the state time to mobilise official help, and have access to communications, especially in the event of key infrastructure like water, electricity and phone networks being down.

Show quote history

But there isn't any communication if both electricity and phone networks are down. Many homes don't even have a landline. I genuinely don't think we can do much other than maybe have some bottled water and make sure babies have formula in.

I should imagine many people have enough to eat for a couple of days even if it's bread or (cold) soup. If they haven't then they probably don't have the money to stockpile.

Original poster
adlitem · 25/02/2026 09:43

itsthetea · 25/02/2026 09:40

The uk needs to prepare more - good and fuel supplies

but that costs and so it’s blocked

True, but do you think individual households ought to be preparing too? Or just the government?

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Original poster
adlitem · 25/02/2026 09:42

GentleSheep · 25/02/2026 09:39

I've been prepping for small emergencies since Brexit, but prepping for war is pretty much impossible. You can only do so much then you'd be just as vulnerable as everyone else.

There's a lot of talk of war lately especially in Europe but I don't know how seriously to take it, doesn't seem likely Russia would attack the whole EU and beyond. Still, who knows.

The guidance in places like Denmark is to ensure you have the ability to survive for a couple of days without help to allow the state time to mobilise official help, and have access to communications, especially in the event of key infrastructure like water, electricity and phone networks being down.

OP posts:
WittyJadeStork · 25/02/2026 09:41

There was a preparedness leaflet a while back

Original poster
adlitem · 25/02/2026 09:40

Iamacatslave · 25/02/2026 09:33

“Military actively preparing for WW3.” Source please.

I have two friends who are high up in the armed forces and the navy. Both said the same. Apparently the current prediction is 2029 and they are making arrangements accordingly.

But it's also consistent with what military figures have been saying in the news and in government policy documents for a while now. A couple of examples:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpqnlxr43zdo

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c035d05je2jo

Regardless though, other countries are - as I said - officially making preparedness recommendations.

Five people in combat uniforms carrying guns and kneeling by a roadside in the countryside

UK must 'actively prepare' for war scenario, government warns

A strategy document says an "all-of-society effort" is required to make the UK more secure.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpqnlxr43zdo

OP posts:
itsthetea · 25/02/2026 09:40

The uk needs to prepare more - good and fuel supplies

but that costs and so it’s blocked

GentleSheep · 25/02/2026 09:39

I've been prepping for small emergencies since Brexit, but prepping for war is pretty much impossible. You can only do so much then you'd be just as vulnerable as everyone else.

There's a lot of talk of war lately especially in Europe but I don't know how seriously to take it, doesn't seem likely Russia would attack the whole EU and beyond. Still, who knows.

Octavia64 · 25/02/2026 09:34

The military are constantly preparing for the next war.

it’s literally part of their job.

Iamacatslave · 25/02/2026 09:33

“Military actively preparing for WW3.” Source please.