Government's "Be Ready" campaign and a rise in purchases: radios, torches, tinned food

On 22 October 2026 the UK government published updated advice for households on how to prepare for temporary disruption to essential services. According to the Polish Express portal, people began buying more emergency items after the announcement.

What the campaign involves

The advice was announced by the Cabinet Office and Security Minister Dan Jarvis. It is the first stage of a three-year "Be Ready" campaign meant to help people across the UK prepare better for events such as extreme weather. Such events can sometimes disrupt power and water supplies, phone lines and the internet.

The government recommends, among other things, signing up to the Priority Services Register. It is a register that lets gas, water and electricity companies identify customers who may need extra support in an emergency. Signing up is free. The second recommendation is to keep a small supply of long-life food and bottled water at home.

The core of the advice is to be ready for three days of disruption. France, Ireland and the Netherlands use the same rule. The government stresses that much of the advice is not new, as it has published guidance for households since May 2024. The main changes are the branding and messaging of the "Prepare" website.

Jarvis said that people who are able to follow the advice should do so. By doing so, he added, they will ease the pressure on the emergency services, which will be able to focus on those most in need.

More than five hundred organisations, from charities to businesses, have already joined in sharing campaign materials. In the coming weeks and months, social media and radio adverts are due to reach families with young children and older people in particular.

What the retailers say

Polish Express cites retailers' figures. Iceland reportedly recorded a 40% rise in sales of tinned products last weekend. Robert Dyas reported a 160% rise in sales of radios compared with the previous week. Maplin reportedly saw sales of radios up 92%, torches up 284% and power banks up 106%. Maplin's figures compare the period since the advice was announced with the same period a month earlier. We have not been able to confirm these figures in another source.

What this means for you

The advice applies to all households in the UK. Signing up to the Priority Services Register is free and may be especially useful for older people, families with young children and people who need extra support. The government is not calling for mass stockpiling. It talks about a small supply of food and water for three days and simple, low-cost steps.