Express readers debate if UK should be preparing more for WW3

Fears are mounting that Britain is underprepared in the event of WW3 as the Government’s stockpiling plans are torn apart. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warned on Tuesday that the country is already “at war” and accused Labour of inaction in the face of cyberattack threats. She said the West could be dragged into “hybrid warfare” as hostile states target businesses, power supplies, and supermarket freezers. Mrs Badenoch said: “Warfare is changing, in so many different ways – we are at war, now.

“Hybrid warfare, unconventional warfare… This week we have heard about North Korean hackers stealing billions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency to avoid sanctions and fund their army.

“Just yesterday, we heard about European supermarkets being shut down because their freezers and refrigeration systems had been hacked. That’s our food supplies that we’re talking about.”

The Tory leader accused ministers of having their “heads in the sand like ostriches”. She turned her fire on Chancellor John Healey, who quit as defence secretary over funding, only to delay a decision on hitting 3% of GDP on defence in last week’s Budget.

She said: “He resigned over that and yet they are still not funding defence to three percent of GDP. They have a plan to make a plan to get the plan. This is not serious.”

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Mrs Badenoch also warned that “stockpiling three days of tinned food is not what’s going to save us if there is a drone attack or a nuclear missile attack”.

Defence Minister Luke Pollard hit back, questioning why the Tories slashed the Armed Forces during their 14 years in power

He questioned: “If the Conservatives care so much about defence, why did they cut our army to its smallest size since the Napoleonic Wars and leave our armed forces, in the words of their own defence secretary, ‘hollowed out and underfunded’?”

UK households have been urged to familiarise themselves with three specific items at home as part of the Government’s new emergency Be Ready campaign.

The initiative aims to motivate people to take a handful of straightforward steps to remain prepared should everyday services be temporarily disrupted.

It marks the first stage of a three-year campaign to help households across the UK feel more equipped for events such as extreme weather, which can impact services including power, water, phones and the internet.

Households are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with three crucial features in their homes. To safely shut off water, gas or electricity during an emergency, all UK residents should know the location of the water stop cock, the gas isolation valve, and the electricity isolation switch.

It is also advised to stockpile three days’ worth of supplies, comprising food, water, batteries, torches, baby or pet food, and various other essentials.

Alongside outlining these necessities, the Government has released an “emergency checklist” detailing the steps people should take to ensure they are adequately prepared.

This includes food, water, hygiene products, torches, batteries, communication devices, money and documents, first aid kits, medication, baby supplies, and pet supplies.

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