'Everyone will panic buy!' Wes Streeting blasted for 'scaremongering' over major alert

'Everyone will panic buy!' Wes Streeting blasted for 'scaremongering' over major alert The Question Time audience member challenged the Defence Secretary in a fiery moment Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Katie Harris , Senior Political Correspondent 21:37, Thu, Oct 22, 2026 Updated: 21:48, Thu, Oct 22, 2026 The audience member warned that the new campaign was 'scaremongering' (Image: BBC) Wes Streeting was put on the spot by a Question Time audience member over a "scaremongering" warning for Britons to stockpile essentials. The Government has launched a "Be Ready" campaign telling households to stock up on supplies including tinned food and bottled water in case of emergencies. But on tonight's BBC Question Time , an audience member challenged the Defence Secretary that it could lead to panic buying. She said: "Don't you think that's just scaremongering? Because people then go and panic buy which then affects us again. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "Why put out something like that? People are just going to go to the shops, buy everything up, there's going to be nothing in the shops, prices will rise." Other members of the audience, while some called out about how people panic-bought loo rolls sparking major shortages when the Covid pandemic broke out. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Households told to stockpile food, water and medicine in new warning The 9 items Brits must stockpile after new warning Earlier in the show, Mr Streeting said: "Today the Government's launched a 'Be Ready' campaign and actually what we had in mind when the campaign was being prepared was about some of the everyday threats we face. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "We've seen the wildfires this summer, we'll be thinking ahead worried about flooding this winter, and what happens if the water pipes burst in the freezing cold. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "It's about saving to households but you can be ready by have three litres of bottled water per person per day to last you three days. Wes Streeting was put on the spot over the new campaign (Image: BBC) "Have some tinned goods that will last you a few days that might not require the microwave or the stove to heat up. "Have you got first aid kits, do you have a battery-powered torch, do you have a portable charging pack for your mobile phone? "Just really practical things that all of us could do with and then we are better prepared." The emergency preparedness campaign aims to make households feel better prepared for disruptive events, such as severe weather. Wes Streeting Question Time Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments