By Charles Pemu 
LONDON, UK – A new government study reveals a grim outlook among Britons, with public concern about national threats soaring on multiple fronts. Over half of the population (50%) anticipates long power cuts within the next two years, and a significant one in five (20%) believes war is likely during the same period.
The “Risk Perception, Resilience and Preparedness Survey,” commissioned by the Cabinet Office and Department for Environment and involving over 10,000 participants, underscores a deep-seated anxiety about the UK’s readiness for crises. A striking 51% of respondents believe the UK is either “not at all” or only “slightly” prepared for potential emergencies.
Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed expressed a lack of confidence in their household’s ability to last more than three days without external assistance if power and water supplies were cut off. Despite this high level of concern, 51% admitted to making no basic emergency preparations in the past 12 months, such as discussing household plans for a crisis.
Looking ahead, two-thirds of Brits expect the number of emergencies to increase “a little or a lot” over the next decade. Specific concerns for the next two years include:
- Severe Storms: 55% consider a disruptive storm “likely” or “very likely.”
- Extreme Cold Weather: 48% anticipate severe cold.
- Heatwaves: 42% expect troubling heatwaves.
- Prolonged Power Cuts (>12 hours): 47% deem this likely.
- Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure: 39% expect this.
- Water Outages (>12 hours): 35% anticipate this.
The prospect of war resonated strongly, with 14% finding it “likely” and an additional 6% seeing it as “very likely” within two years, amid rising global tensions. This level of concern is comparable to fears surrounding terrorist attacks and wildfires. A third of respondents also anticipate another human pandemic, and a similar proportion believe they might need to be evacuated due to flooding. Rioting and looting were considered “likely” by a quarter of the population.
Despite these pervasive anxieties, only 15% felt the UK was “totally” or “largely” prepared for future challenges. In the event of power, gas, and water outages, a mere 8% were confident their household could last a week or more without outside help, while 14% believed they would last less than a day.
A Government spokesman responded, stating the survey results “will inform our work with households, communities and first responders to keep the country safe.” They highlighted the recently published Resilience Action Plan, which includes a £4.2 billion investment in flood defenses, public awareness campaigns (GOV.UK/PREPARE), and testing of the emergency alerts system on September 7, 2025.