Britain must strengthen its military readiness and emergency preparedness as potential adversaries could have the capacity to launch an attack by 2030, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has warned, according to a report.
Writing in The Telegraph, Streeting said the threat reflected changes in hostile states’ capabilities. “By 2030 their force strength and war economy could put them in a position to attack,” he wrote. He said Britain and its allies needed to prepare to deter conflict and respond effectively if necessary, while also strengthening resilience against disruption at home.
The warning followed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s call for households to keep essential supplies for emergencies, including severe weather and power outages. According to the report, the recommended supplies include three days of food, bottled water, blankets, cash, a first aid kit and a wind-up FM radio.
Hand sanitiser, wet wipes and pet food were also suggested. Burnham said the advice was intended to encourage practical preparation rather than panic. “It’s about just taking sensible measures to have enough in the house to tide you over should there be a difficult situation,” he told the BBC.
Streeting also urged businesses and households to consider whether they were prepared for disruptions, citing concerns about hostile activity, including potential Russian state-sponsored attacks. The report said the National Audit Office had warned the previous month that cyber attacks and climate-related events posed risks to Britain’s food supply chain.
It criticised the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for insufficient action to improve resilience. Responding, Burnham said increasingly frequent unexpected events made preparedness important. He pointed to storms and power outages in Cornwall as examples of situations in which household supplies could help people manage temporary disruption.