Britons are panic buying toilet roll, tinned food and torches after the government's 'Be Ready' call to stockpile

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting launched the 'Be Ready' campaign this week, urging every UK household to keep a three-day emergency kit covering flooding, cyber attacks and power cuts. Sales of tinned food, wind-up radios, torches and now toilet paper have all spiked since the guidance was published. Streeting told BBC Newsnight people should be "alert not alarmed" and praised those taking practical steps.

The checklist includes bottled water, cash and tinned goods — with a new government website offering a downloadable kit guide.

Critics warn the advice is a luxury: a Tower Hamlets midwife says families in shared rooms simply cannot store nine litres of water per person.

Single-person households face a particular squeeze, with compact flats leaving no room to stockpile even basic supplies.