UK told to prepare for war – here’s what Martin Lewis says every home should have

The UK government has warned that we must now be on a war footing — and consumer expert Martin Lewis says preparing for power cuts and disruption is just common sense.

In a stark new national security strategy, ministers have said that the UK should "actively prepare for the possibility of the UK coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario". The report also warned of rising cyber attacks, biological threats and attacks on critical infrastructure, adding that hostile powers are already trying to stoke division and spread misinformation.

The 2025 warning came just weeks after Martin Lewis said he was urging families to stock up on basics that would keep them safe during a power outage or supply chain failure — not out of fear, but because they are sensible precautions. Appearing on This Morning in May after widespread Spanish blackouts, he said:

“A torch and some spare batteries in your house, because we get power cuts for normal reasons – floods and weather incidents.”

“A bit of tinned food, a little bit of water always kept stocked up is useful.”

“A wind-up radio.”

“A power bank to charge your mobile phone – fully charged in your house – because that gives you a torch, a radio, and communication.”

With the UK’s new national strategy calling for an “all-of-society effort” to become more secure and resilient, many families are already building up home emergency kits. These aren’t about panic – they’re about peace of mind, making sure you can cope for a few days without water, electricity or access to shops or services.

Here’s a basic emergency checklist based on UK government and British Red Cross guidance, with product links to help you source each item:

Light and power

• The Sealey AK3305 wind-up torch is a no-fuss rechargeable light source that doesn’t need batteries – £9.49
• The INIU 10000mAh power bank will charge phones and tablets and even includes a built-in torch – £14.99
• The Rychi wind-up radio offers AM/FM radio, a crank handle, a solar panel, dual USB phone charging, and an integrated 8000mAh battery with flashlight and SOS alarm – £41.99. After the big power cuts in Spain, thousands said they wished they’d had a wind-up radio to keep themselves informed. Read our full review here.
• A pack of Duracell AA and AAA batteries (24 total) will keep torches, radios and small devices powered – £18.96
• The EASYLONGER 24000mAh CPAP battery works with many medical devices and includes USB and DC outputs – £99.99

Basic medical supplies

• The General Medi 220-piece first aid kit includes plasters, antiseptic, bandages, tape, gloves and tweezers – £19.99
• HandSafe 500ml sanitiser gel kills 99.9% of bacteria and contains 70% alcohol – £4.70
• Comfy Life adult wet wipes (80 pack) are useful when the water is off – £8.75

Food and water

• A pack of 72 x 500ml bottled waters from Amazon’s own brand – enough for drinking and basic hygiene – £13.50
• Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup (12 cans) is long-life, ready to eat and vegetarian friendly – £9.02
• The Lychico 3-in-1 tin opener also opens bottles and jar lids – £5.90
• Pedigree Mixed Selection dog food pouches (40 pack) will help keep your pets fed – £11.24

Babies and children

• Mama Bear Ultra Dry nappies, Size 4 (168 pack) are affordable and absorbent – £18.34
• Huggies Pure Wipes (18 packs, 1008 wipes) are gentle and skin-safe – £12.82
• Cow & Gate First Infant Milk, 200ml x 12 is a ready-to-feed formula ideal for when boiling water isn’t an option – £14.04

The Red Cross also recommends keeping these items in one place, ideally near your front door or in a grab-and-go bag. For maximum convenience, you can also buy a ready-made 72-hour emergency kit for £241, including food, water, gloves, a first aid kit and torch — ideal to throw in the boot of your car or store at home.

The government’s wider strategy includes a major investment in border security, shipbuilding and AI development, as well as a new £1bn programme to establish national biosecurity centres across the UK. Ministers say these measures are a response to rising threats from countries like Russia and Iran, and efforts to protect the UK’s energy supply and communications networks from disruption.

Martin Lewis was clear that his advice wasn’t about stoking fear: “None of these will ever be needed either. But it isn’t unsensible to have those things.”

The message is clear: don’t panic – but do prepare.

⛱️ How to get airport lounge access from just £11 – without flying business class

✈️ You don’t need a premium ticket to enjoy a quieter, more comfortable airport experience. Lounge access is available to all travellers – and you can now pre-book passes from just £11. Holiday Extras offers discounted lounge access at 22 UK airports with complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi and up to 60% off.

🌍 Flying further afield? Lounge Pass gives you entry to over 800 VIP lounges worldwide – perfect for international or return trips. And for one-off getaways or group travel, this Wowcher lounge voucher is just £2 and gives up to 25% off for you and up to six others. Most lounges include drinks, snacks and flight info screens – a simple travel upgrade that makes early check-ins a lot more enjoyable. 🍷