Wes Streeting defends government ‘be-ready’ plan as Question Time audience tackle him over ‘scaremongering’

Wes Streeting defended the government’s advice for people to prepare for emergencies after a Question Time audience member accused it of scaremongering. He said the aim was to keep people “alert but not alarmed” and argued that practical preparation could help with everyday disruptions as well as more serious incidents.

Streeting said there was no specific emergency behind the guidance, citing power cuts and a local shop facing a cyberattack as examples. He also said other European countries were further ahead with preparedness, and that the UK was catching up. The audience member raised concerns that the campaign could prompt panic buying, as seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.