What emergency supplies does the UK government recommend?

Short answer. The UK government sets no fixed number of days. Its GOV.UK/Prepare site, run by the Cabinet Office, asks households to plan supplies for "an emergency lasting a few days", such as a power cut ¹. For water it cites the WHO survival minimum of 2.5 to 3 litres per person per day, and 10 litres per person per day for basic cooking and hygiene ¹.

How many days of supplies does the UK recommend?

There is no official figure. The government's wording is: "Consider what supplies you and your household might need during an emergency lasting a few days, such as a power cut or water outage, or situations where you are advised to stay at home or to leave your home (evacuate) for safety reasons." ¹

Unlike some other countries, the UK publishes no fixed target and leaves the exact amount to each household's circumstances. For a general method, see How much water to store per person per day? and What goes in a 72-hour emergency kit?.

How much water should I store in the UK?

GOV.UK/Prepare lists bottled water and gives three reference points ¹:

Multiply by the number of people and the number of days you want to cover.

What should a UK household keep at home?

The official list covers light and power, information, health, water and food, and paperwork ¹:

• A battery or wind-up torch (the government notes torches are safer than candles)
• A portable power bank for your mobile phone
• A battery or wind-up radio for updates during a power cut
• Spare batteries, plus a backup battery for any medical equipment you rely on
• A first aid kit
• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
• Bottled water
• Non-perishable food that does not need cooking, a tin opener, and food for pets
• Baby supplies such as nappies and ready-to-feed formula
• Enough regular medication for several days
• A paper copy of instructions for any medical device you rely on
• A paper list of important numbers (including 105 for power cuts), your medication, radio frequencies and insurance details

The full item-by-item list is on the UK emergency kit page.

Does the government suggest anything else?

Yes. GOV.UK/Prepare also suggests a "grab bag" in case you have to leave home, and a winter car kit: torch, in-car charger, warm clothes, blankets, high-visibility clothing, jump leads, food and drink, and a snow shovel ¹. It advises building your kit up over time rather than buying everything at once ¹.

Is the UK advice about to change?

Possibly. The Resilience Action Plan 2026 implementation report, published 14 July 2026, announces new household advice and a national public engagement campaign "anchored in GOV.UK/Prepare, launching later this year" ². The list above reflects GOV.UK/Prepare as consulted on 20 October 2026 and may be updated.

Frequently asked questions

Does the UK say 72 hours or 3 days?

No. The official wording is "an emergency lasting a few days", with no fixed number ¹. A three-day or 72-hour target used elsewhere does not come from the UK government.

How much water per person per day in the UK?

GOV.UK/Prepare cites the WHO survival figure of at least 2.5 to 3 litres of drinking water per person per day, and 10 litres per person per day for basic cooking and hygiene ¹.

Should I buy everything at once?

No. The government advises building up your supplies over time ¹.

What food should I keep?

Non-perishable food that does not need cooking, such as ready-to-eat tinned meat, fruit or vegetables, plus a tin opener and food for any pets ¹. See How long does emergency food last? for rotation.

Sources

1. Cabinet Office (GOV.UK Prepare) — Get prepared for emergencies — https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/get-prepared-for-emergencies/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. Cabinet Office — The UK Government Resilience Action Plan: 2026 Implementation Report — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-government-resilience-action-plan-2026-implementation-report/the-uk-government-resilience-action-plan-2026-implementation-report-html (accessed 2026-10-20)