Burnham's government to urge households to stockpile food and water against war, cyberattacks and extreme weather

From the Newshound archive · first published 21 September 2026.

Environment Secretary Angela Eagle has cautioned that homes need sufficient supplies to sustain residents until emergency services arrive, as the Burnham government readies a major national resilience campaign. The initiative will address extreme weather, hostile state activity and cyberattacks, focusing on situations where power, water or shops might be unavailable. Officials are also pressing ahead with a 'war book' — a national defence manual — amid mounting concern about Russian threats and record-breaking droughts and wildfires this summer.

Eagle pointed to forecasts of the largest El Niño in 1,000 years, cautioning that wetter winters and drier summers lie ahead.

Separately, charities warn 6,149 eligible North East families are missing out on NHS Healthy Start food payments worth £9.30 a week.