Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle suggests households prepare for supply chain disruptions as the UK faces climate and security risks.
Key facts
- •Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle advised households to keep a store of food to maintain resilience during emergencies.
- •The National Audit Office warned that the UK food supply chain faces risks from cyber-attacks, disease, and climate change.
- •The government is expected to release a new strategy for national emergency preparedness by the end of 2026.
- •Phil Pluck, CEO of the Cold Chain Federation, stated that the UK is vulnerable to cyber-attacks targeting supply chain pinch points.
- •The NAO report noted that UK households are currently less prepared for emergencies than those in several other European nations.
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle has advised UK households to stock up on food to prepare for potential emergencies caused by extreme weather. Her comments follow warnings from the National Audit Office regarding the vulnerability of the nation's food supply chain to climate change, cyber-attacks, and disease outbreaks.
Climate and Security Risks
Dame Angela stated that the development of a powerful El Niño event is expected to bring drier summers, wetter winters, and more extreme storms to the UK. She noted that while the phenomenon may cause significant flooding in Asia, domestic preparations are necessary to ensure resilience if emergency services are delayed. The National Audit Office (NAO) report highlighted that the UK's food supply is increasingly threatened by cyber-attacks, plant or human disease outbreaks, and climate change. The report warned that such disruptions could lead to higher food prices and difficulties for vulnerable populations.
Government Strategy and Preparedness
The NAO criticized the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for being overly reliant on the private sector to manage supply chain disruptions, noting that the department has not done enough to improve resilience. The report suggested that UK households are currently less prepared for emergencies than those in countries like Finland and Sweden. In response, Defra stated it is working with farmers and industry to build a more resilient food system and will consider the report's recommendations. The government plans to unveil a strategy by the end of 2026 to provide guidance on how households can prepare for potential food and water shortages.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Business.
