Never Caught OutIndependent UK guide Crisis

Long haul · Shortages

Supply-chain shortages: food, medicine and fuel

Empty shelves are usually short-lived and local. A small store built up over time, from food you already eat, means you do not need to join a rush.

First draftDrafted 1 November 2026Applies across the UK

Build it gradually

The UK Government’s Be Ready checklist suggests you check your cupboards first, note what your household relies on, and pick up missing items during regular shopping trips. Food should have a long shelf life, need no fridge or cooking, and be food you would usually eat.

Rotate what you store

Set a reminder every six months to check dates and swap items. Put new items at the back and use older ones first, so nothing goes to waste.

Medicines

Be Ready advises leaving enough time to request repeat prescriptions, up to 5 working days before you need your medicine. We do not give advice on stockpiling medicines. Ask your pharmacist or GP what is right for you.

Fuel

Plan journeys so you are not running low, and share lifts where you can. Do not store petrol beyond legal limits: HSE guidance sets out how much you can keep at home and in what containers. Petrol vapour is highly flammable; never store it indoors in living areas.

To be added

  • A worked example of a two-week cupboard list, using no invented quantities.
  • Special diets and allergies.

Kit for this guide

Cupboard store basics from the Be Ready checklist. All research-based.

  • Tinned meat, fish or vegetables Research-based
  • Dried fruit and nuts Research-based
  • Pet food Research-based
  • Baby formula, ready-to-feed Research-based
  • Hygiene products Research-based

No products, brands or prices yet, and no affiliate links. What “Research-based” and “Tested by us” mean.

Official sources we used

  1. Be ready for emergencies, including the Be Ready checklist (UK Government, Be Ready)
  2. Petrol storage (Health and Safety Executive)

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.