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Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has called for the public to stockpile days' worth of food and water for crisis situations in the face of "increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks."
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Streeting warned the public would need to prepare for crises after it emerged that 32 government services had been moved offline after what was described as the "most severe flaw in software history".
He also said organisations around the world are scrambling for a fix as such attacks are feared to happen "more and more".
Under a new Government "be ready" campaign, the Defence Secretary is now urging households to be prepared if everyday services are temporarily disrupted with three days of key supplies.
The push comes after the head of the British Army, General Sir Roly Walker, said politicians would "very soon" begin a "frank conversation" about the dangers facing Britain and what people must be prepared to do to protect it.
00:00 | Nick Ferrari speaks to Lord Harris, who says 'it would be stupid of us not to take notice'.
04:04 | Dan Goss, who runs Start Prepping UK, talks through some of the basic essentials one should have extra of.
07:33 | The Conservatives' Matt Vickers says it's important because Defence Secretary Wes Streeting 'knows what the threats are'.
08:48 | Caller Ann shares how she has prepped, and asks people to consider what will happen to electric vehicles and landlines.
11:30 | Caller Alison says people 'need to be listening' this time as 'the government doesn't tell us stuff anyways'.
15:08 | Caller David shares the lessons he has learned from not being prepared when a water pipe burst.
Listen to the full show on the all-new LBC App: https://app.af.lbc.co.uk/btnc/thenewlbcapp
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0:00
Let's get more background to this now from Toby now, Lord Harris, chairs the National Preparedness Commission
0:04
Good to have you on, Lord Harris. So the Defence Secretary talks of a national resilience conversation
0:11
Tell me what that means. Good morning. Well, I think the idea is ultimately not only does the ministers talk about this
0:20
government talks about this, but that we all in our local communities, to our neighbours, to our friends, to our families
0:27
Just think a little bit about what needs to happen if something goes wrong, if the power goes off, if the water goes off, if there's a disruption to the Internet
0:38
You know, just over the last few months, we've seen the very hot weather over the summer, which has led to increase in the number of wildfires
0:49
The London Fire Brigade with more call outs than any night since the Blitz
0:54
We've seen those health emergencies caused by that. Just over the last 24 hours, we've had the outages caused by this software failure. These things happen. And at the same time, the international situation has clearly become more serious
1:11
So this is sensible advice that the government is trying to get us to talk about, to think about, to take the sensible measures where we can, that all of us can do, just to make sure that in the event of something happening, we've got two or three days to sort ourselves out
1:29
Lord Harris, elaborate a little bit, the international situation. What do you mean by that? Are you looking at Russia
1:35
well quite clearly we've had um um russian uh i think it's called gray zone attacks
1:42
um in this country we've seen whatever was going on at raf fairford where there was allegedly
1:47
an iranian link um we've had um so ne'er-do-wells paid money uh in crypto and recruited on the
1:55
internet to do arson attacks in different parts of the country that's going on we've had russian
2:01
submarines taking an unhealthy interest in the pipelines and cables which deliver some of the
2:08
essential services to this country. It's all happening. We've had the Russian foreign minister
2:13
making threats towards the UK, the Iranian National Guard doing the same. This is all happening
2:22
There's also a potential of disruption to shipping. We've got the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked
2:30
if the Chinese take action in Taiwan, then that is also going to cause huge disruption
2:36
All of these things are happening. I have to put it to you
2:40
It must just be rather stupid of us not just take notice of some of these
2:45
I mean, that was a very detailed look at the challenges and the threats we face
2:49
But if we are looking at Iran or Vladimir Putin, how am I going to survive with a packet of wet wipes
2:54
and a bottle of Evian? I don't think the suggestion is that you would
2:59
Well, that's all I've got. Well, then maybe you need to just think about what else you need
3:07
But let's be clear. We're talking about disruptions to some of our basic services
3:14
And these can happen not because of the threat of war, but because of other things. So where people can take the necessary steps
3:21
it does make sense for them to do so. And that means that the authorities have fewer people to worry about
3:26
in the event of some really big crisis. Lastly, a challenge for you, Lord Harris. I'm not allowing you to go online. Where are you going to get a wind-up radio
3:36
Well, ideally you get it in advance before it goes off. I have to say, I got mine several years ago. I spent a little bit of time working on that
3:43
Well, just to listen to me, I'm sure, Toby. It's not something I listen to every day, but it's there. It's just a few feet from me away at this time
3:51
failing that you can get yourself a battery radio yes and make sure you've got some backup batteries
3:58
as well grateful for your time as ever thank you toby now lord harris chairs the national preparedness commission listening dan goss who runs Start Prepping UK I know what that means Mr Goss Explain to listeners what is prepping
4:11
Good morning. Hi, thanks for having me on. Good morning. What is prepping
4:17
So prepping is just thinking in advance about something that could go wrong
4:22
and taking the steps to mitigate that or help to deal with it if it does arise
4:28
A lot of people think of it as like the bunker in the woods and the guy with the camo face paint and the rifle
4:33
Films would have you believe that's what it is. I look at it as being much, much more akin to having a spare tire in your car
4:40
You are taking a step to mitigate a potential problem that may not actually arise
4:45
You may not blow a tire out. If you do and you've got the spare tire
4:49
it's not that big of a problem for you, actually. But if you don't have the spare, it becomes a big problem for you
4:55
So I'm looking at it as being akin to that, but with, you know, tins of food in the cupboard
5:00
Well, that's what I'd like to ask you, to request you to sort of list what you've got
5:05
I imagine we're going to talk dried pasta, bottles of water, tins of baked beans. Can you run roughly, if I was to open the door to your cupboards
5:10
what am I going to see, Mr Goss? You have pretty much hit it on the head. I like to encourage people to stock up on the things
5:19
that they eat in their everyday lives anyway. You can get a lot of the sort of freeze-dried
5:23
25-year shelf life military ration stuff. Filet mignon. But I like to kind of prioritise the things
5:32
that you will get through normally anyway. Baked beans, dried pasta, bottled water, rice
5:36
that sort of thing, because it means that you are not getting a big shock to your diet if you do have to eat this stuff
5:41
because you're actually already kind of doing that. It doesn't just rot in the shed somewhere because you're getting through it
5:45
And you can buy it in little drips and drabs as you do your normal shopping. You don't have to have some huge outlay to get it
5:51
So I'm a journalist and we're sort of trained to be fairly cynical about everything and not to take it at face value
5:57
And when we're told by a press department that everything's under control, we think, no, it's not
6:01
Clearly, you're all the sixes and sevens. So automatically, I'm presupposed to say why the government are doing this
6:06
It's like dad's army. I want an independent view from you. Do you think this is the right sort of thing for a government to be a policy to be following
6:12
So I think it is. I think it's quite a sensible policy
6:16
I think in light of things that we're seeing in recent years with climate, with geopolitical issues
6:24
I mean, we were just talking about the various threats and hybrid warfare issues that we're currently facing
6:30
I think it is a case of the best time to plant a tree being 20 years ago and the second best time being today
6:37
There is sort of a sense that we're getting from government that they're suddenly realizing
6:42
They're like, oh, we are not ready. I mean I've just seen a couple of minutes ago
6:46
we've had a storm make landfall on the south west and thousands of homes in Newquay
6:52
are already without power just now. No you're absolutely right in fact we're going to have a report on that now. Dan look after
6:58
yourself thank you. Dan Goss runs Start Prepping UK and I'm asking you well firstly
7:03
is this relevant? Obviously they spent a fair amount of money on this but then as Mr Goss
7:08
has just pointed out we have got storms blowing in and also what would be in your prep
7:12
box. I've decided to call it a prep box. I've just made that up. What is going to be
7:16
Angela has decided she's got to have mascara and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. I think I'm going to have to have a bottle of vodka. I nearly named
7:22
it a bottle of very decent vodka because if we're going to hell and I'm calm, as well go out with a bottle
7:26
of Belvedere or Grey Goose and we're going out with some rubbish from Londis. So what is going to be
7:30
in your prep box? You referenced the so-called Be Ready campaign. Everyone
7:36
being urged to get, I think it's three days' supply of water and dried food and medicines
7:40
and wet wipes and goodness knows what else and soap. Is this the nanny state or is this a government..
7:47
You probably won't be aware of this, but there are power cuts as we speak in Cornwall as a result of the source
7:51
Is it a government just acting responsibly? Which is it? Well, I must admit, I can't stand pot noodles
7:56
But there is, you know, the Defence Secretary receives all of the state's intelligence
8:00
He knows what the threats are. He knows what the challenges are. If he is telling us we should be looking at what we've got in our cupboards
8:06
and preparing such a thing we definitely should be doing that But I think the question the public would give back to the government is what are they doing to prepare Where is the 3 What are we doing as a country to make sure that we got the capability
8:18
and the capacity to look after cyber security to defend this country
8:22
You've got to remember that Chancellor now who's going to that dispatch box on Wednesday
8:26
quit as Defence Secretary because he said we were not adequately protecting this country. We need
8:32
answers on that and we need them now. Andy Burnham should have a sleepless night tonight
8:36
worrying about how he's protecting this country. This isn't something we can leave till tomorrow
8:42
If you want peace, if you want to deliver peace, you've got to prepare for war and you've got to be able to stand up for yourself
8:48
Anne in Peckham. What are you going to put in there, Anne? Good morning. Good morning, Nick
8:52
What am I going to put in there? I already am prepared
8:57
I have always been. Have you really? Yes. Can you hear me
9:01
Yes. What have you got in it then? Have you got tins of beans and bottles of water and everything
9:05
I have bottles of water. I don't like thin beans. Right. I have thin milk
9:10
Right. And I find that there's a shortage of thin milk in the supermarket. What are you going to eat
9:17
Hello? Yes. Anne, what are you going to eat? Over. Oh, normally I prepare things and have stock in the freezer
9:25
No, no, Anne, Anne, Anne, Anne. If there's a shortage, I... Anne, Anne, Anne, Anne, the freezer is not functioning
9:31
There's no power. So you've got powdered milk and water. What are you going to eat, I repeat, over
9:37
I already have West Indian food and I have a gas stove
9:42
Right. So if the electricity goes out, I already have a gas stove
9:47
Right, right. Can I suggest you do need something like dried pasta
9:53
I have those. I have that as well. As I said, I normally have a storage box and those things I already keep
10:00
OK, OK. And how nervous are you about this, Anne? I'm not very nervous because, as I said, I'm already ready
10:08
I have a storm lantern. I have torches. I have a wind-up radio that also can charge my phone
10:16
Oh, right. Oh, you're ready to go down in Peckham, aren't you? Oh, yes
10:19
I come from old schools. But what I'm concerned about, if the electricity goes up for a while
10:25
what about all these electrical vehicles? Are we going to go into a halt
10:29
and I know that most of the fibre optics now, you need a digital phone that has to be charged up
10:36
Yes. That would be out. Your landline would probably go out as well
10:42
I think the landlines would be one of the first things to go, I fear. Anne, well done
10:46
You took us through your list and I think you're prepped and ready to go
10:49
and have yourself a safe weekend. Thanks for your input on that. Eva says, if I need a wind-up radio
10:56
that tells me the electricity is gone. How am I supposed to cook all these beans and rice? we'll get those little, there used to be sort of little blue
11:02
camping gas stoves that you would have if you went out, I think, in a tent
11:06
I think that's what they're suggesting. Graham, where are you in Croydon? Is this Labour's plans for growth
11:11
We all go out and buy bottles of water and candles. I buy shares in that wind-up radio company
11:16
This lastly comes in from Jill in London. I have stocked up on dog food
11:20
I've got loads, but that's all. My beloved dog, Mabel, is going to be OK
11:24
but she won't be able to open the sachets and she will need a human to survive
11:28
Give me your address. I'll see if I can go around and look after Mabel. Alison's in Rochester. What's in your prep box
11:32
Good morning. Morning, Nick. I have fire pits. Sorry? You have what
11:39
Fire pits. Fire tips? Fire pits with words. Fire pits. Oh, that's a good idea
11:45
Right, yeah. Yes, barbecues. I've got solar-powered wind-up radio. That is also a torch and a charger
11:54
Oh, my God. I have water, food, powdered milk, long-life milk. You're taking this seriously
12:02
I'm not being critical, but you are actually buying into this, aren't you? Yeah
12:06
Why? I've been for a while. Why? I think forewarned is forearmed
12:10
and I don think the government ordinarily tell us stuff anyways They would always be trying to prevent chaos and panic So I think the fact that they even mentioning it and this isn the first time I think people need to be listening
12:25
And even those doubters, even if it's just an extra packet of pasta
12:29
or something, just something, I think it's better to have something than nothing and be panicking
12:36
I always have lots of toilet roll. And hopefully you've got a luster place and some wet wipes
12:42
Yeah, I need to get some work right. When you mentioned it this morning, I added it to my list actually
12:47
Oh, right, OK. Well, also, if we're on that area, apparently hand sanitiser. We've got to be stocking up on that
12:52
Alison, well done. Let's hope you never have to use it, but thank you for taking me through it
12:56
Alison is prepped and good to go. What about Harriet and Walsham Forest? How are you doing, Harriet? What have you got in the cupboard
13:02
It's like a game show, isn't it? What have you got in your cupboard, Harriet? Hi, Nick
13:08
Hello? Yes, you're on the radio. Hi, yes. I would have tinned food, a loaf of bread and dark chocolate
13:14
Right. Well, the loaf of bread... Hello. I would have tinned food, a loaf of bread, bottled water
13:22
Right. The loaf of bread isn't going to last that long, Harriet. A professional medicine, blanket, mobile, portable charger
13:29
Yes. I think possibly we've already got this preparedness issue with Waltham Forest
13:32
because I'm having trouble getting through. OK, you're good to go as well, Harriet. Thank you for that
13:36
I'm sorry I've got problems with your line. John in Cambridge. as storms, rain, wind, the sky falling in us
13:41
I'm stocking up on frayed bentos and tins of ravioli. Same subject
13:46
This comes in from... Dominic says that Amazon do wind-up radios and solar ones
13:50
What's the point, though, if you lose power? Of course, if you don't shop online
13:54
and I know virtually everybody does, I don't know a store where you could walk..
13:58
Do you remember those things called shops? They used to employ people. Quite a good idea, really
14:02
A lot of people had a lot of jobs working in shops, and they used to go in and meet their friends
14:06
and then we did away with them. But there's no store that I can think of. I don't think even John Lewis could go there
14:12
Graham says, I started prepping 12 months ago. For a family of four, I have one month of food, 11 days of bottled water
14:19
All this is on rotation. As regards energy, I have 10 solar panels installed plus a 7.7 battery, whatever that is
14:27
EPS is emergency power supply, I know that. It's been installed. I can run my house off my solar
14:33
Good Lord. Surge protector has been installed. I'm looking to buy an EV car adapter to tap into its battery
14:39
I've got £400 of cash and four 10-kilometre walkie-talkies. My God, you could invade Normandy with half of that, couldn't you
14:46
That's fantastic. Dave in Portsmouth. Well, some wind-up radios have already sold out on Amazon
14:51
Well done, Wes, for scaremongering and these pointless announcements. David says toilet rolls are disappearing from the shelves again
14:59
Oh, no. David in Biggin Hill. Have you been shopping today? Is that right
15:04
Good morning. Yes, I might have had a bit of instant shopping
15:08
Nick, I'm afraid to say I was not prepared I was not prepared
15:14
I was not prepared for this morning's water going off in Biggin Hill
15:18
So we've got the grandchildren here, Emily and Isaac, having our breakfast
15:22
No water And you've got no water We've got no water We checked a little bit, apparently it's a burst pipe
15:30
I don't think it's a foreign actor Just a burst pipe So I zipped up to Waitrose and joined the throng of people in the same three roads buying water
15:39
But I just have a feeling that the announcement made yesterday by Mr Streeping is going to result in exactly the same toilet paper
15:47
Toilet roll shortage. Are you Thames water or a different supplier? I think it's Thames water. Yeah, it is Thames water
15:53
But I did have a bottle of Vivien in the car, so that's all good. Right, that's OK
15:58
but have you got some milk and Weetabix and cornflakes for the children
16:02
or the grandchildren? We're absolutely fine for that and we've stopped up like a normal
16:06
household but we haven't got big boxes full of stuff. Well I think we have in the past. The last
16:10
time I think was when the second bit of the invasion into
16:14
Ukraine. Oh right. And for some reason I just thought go and buy
16:18
lentils and cornflakes and stuff. Well why wouldn't you? Absolutely
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