Arabic version: الصحف تركز على حملة الاستعداد للطوارئ

According to BBC News, several front pages focus on a government campaign urging households to prepare for disruption linked to natural disasters and cyber attacks. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has launched the national public-preparedness drive, which asks Britons to create “Be ready” kits for emergencies.

The Daily Telegraph says the kits should include three days’ worth of non-perishable food and bottled water, an FM radio and blankets. The Guardian similarly reports that households are being urged to hold enough food and water to survive 72 hours during a crisis. It links the new guidance to concerns over climate change, technological dependency and hostile state threats.

Cyber-security problems also feature prominently. The Metro says websites around the world were taken offline after flaws were revealed in the globally used programming language PHP, reporting that 32 government services in the UK were down. The Independent says the preparedness campaign comes as a global security flaw knocked dozens of government services offline, while reporting warnings that state-sponsored terrorism could disrupt daily life.

Other papers take differing views of the message. The Times reports that Streeting issued a checklist for coping after catastrophe and advised people to have three days of supplies. The Daily Mail’s front page says “Don’t Panic!”, reporting that ministers were accused of lecturing families about stockpiling in the event of a national emergency.

Elsewhere, the Daily Mirror reports criticism of former Health Secretary Matt Hancock following another Covid inquiry. The Financial Times says Barclays plans to cut 5,000 jobs while introducing more artificial intelligence into its workforce, with support roles expected to be most affected. The i Paper leads on a report proposing career plans for people aged 14 and above to help tackle the number of young people not in education, employment or training after leaving school.