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Tue, 27 Oct 2026

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 'Tone deaf at best' - advice to stock up on essentials worries experts and low-income families

Some families say they cannot afford to stockpile in line with the government's advice.

* Professor Ruth Patrick says government guidance will appear "tone deaf" or "insulting" to those struggling with poverty.
* Ana from Swansea's UK Preppers Club says people should focus on having a plan for emergencies rather than just buying supplies, such as knowing how to flush a toilet without running water.
* Donna Lloyd, 60, believes preparing for emergencies is not realistic for everyone but suggests building up a small stockpile gradually.
* Yasmin Ibison from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation says low-income households cannot afford additional emergency items on top of essentials like food and heating.