Never Caught OutIndependent UK guide Crisis

Long haul · Money and papers

Cash and documents

Card payments, cash machines and phones all need power and networks. A little cash and a folder of paper copies cover the gap.

First draftDrafted 1 November 2026Applies across the UK

Cash

Be Ready advises keeping cash, in a mix of coins and notes, as well as cards, in case electronic payments or cash machines are disrupted. It says the amount depends on your family’s needs for essentials. We do not suggest a figure.

Documents

Be Ready suggests printed copies of important documents such as passports, birth certificates, insurance policy details and instructions for any medical equipment you rely on. Keeping them with your household plan makes them easier to grab if you need to leave quickly.

Numbers on paper

Write down who to contact in an emergency, including anyone who might need checking on, and a list of regular medication and doses. Include 105 for power cuts (03457 643643 in Northern Ireland) and your insurer’s claim line.

Keeping it secure

Keep cash and documents out of sight and somewhere dry. Copies of identity documents are sensitive, so store them privately.

To be added

  • A printable document checklist.

Official sources we used

  1. Be ready for emergencies, including the Be Ready checklist (UK Government, Be Ready)

We link to official pages so you can check the latest advice yourself. If something here differs from what an official source says now, follow the official source. Where we quote or adapt official text, it contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

First draft

This is a first draft. It is built from the official sources listed above, but we have not finished reviewing it. If anything here differs from official advice, follow the official source.