Households are being encouraged to keep tinned food, bottled water and other essential supplies at home as the UK Government steps up preparations for emergencies that could disrupt everyday services.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said people should have basic supplies available to help them cope during a crisis, as ministers launched a new campaign advising families to be prepared for up to three days of disruption.
Asked what he would keep in his own emergency supplies, Burnham said: “So yeah, some tins of food, some bottled water.”
He also suggested alcohol should not be high on the list after Housing Secretary Angela Rayner joked that she would include Sauvignon Blanc and mascara in her emergency supplies.
Burnham 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.”
He added that people were still “allowed a glass or two” to help them through a difficult situation.
The comments come as the Government launches its new Be Ready campaign, which aims to make households more resilient to events including severe weather, flooding, wildfires, power cuts and cyber incidents.
The advice applies across the UK, including Scotland, and asks people who are able to do so to build up enough basic supplies to manage for three days if electricity, water, communications or other services are interrupted.
Households are advised to have bottled water providing at least three litres per person per day for drinking, as well as food with a long shelf life which does not require refrigeration or cooking.
Suggested foods include tinned meat, fish and vegetables, as well as dried fruit and nuts.
Families are also encouraged to keep a torch and spare batteries, a charged power bank, a battery-powered or wind-up radio, a first aid kit and essential medicines.
Other recommendations include keeping some cash at home in case card machines or ATMs stop working and having printed copies of important documents and phone numbers.
People with babies are advised to consider supplies of ready-to-feed formula, nappies and wipes, while households with pets should make provision for food and water.
The Government has stressed that people should not panic buy or attempt to build large stockpiles.
Instead, it suggests checking what is already in cupboards and gradually adding an extra item or two during normal shopping trips.
The campaign follows disruption caused by severe weather and wildfires and is intended to bring the UK closer to emergency preparedness guidance already used in countries including Ireland, France and the Netherlands.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said households capable of following the advice could reduce pressure on emergency services during a crisis, allowing help to be directed towards people who need it most.
More than 500 charities, businesses and other organisations across the UK have signed up to help distribute the Be Ready advice.
The Government says much of the guidance is not new, but the campaign is intended to make emergency planning a more routine part of household life.