Millions of Britons are reportedly engaging in 'prepping' activities, preparing for potential major disruptions by stockpiling cash and tinned goods, and keeping battery-powered torches readily available. This trend is driven by concerns ranging from bank IT failures and natural disasters to broader societal collapse. UK experts have recently recommended maintaining an emergency food supply at home. Link, the UK's ATM network, surveyed the public on their contingency planning for events causing significant disruptions to normal services. The survey found that 54% of respondents would use cash if card and mobile payments were unavailable.
Financial experts emphasize the importance of liquidity, advising clients to hold one to three years' worth of expenditure in cash to weather 'black swan' events like the dot-com crash or the global financial crisis. While modern payments are often contactless, access to physical cash remains crucial during crises. It's recommended to have multiple bank accounts with different, non-linked banks and a mix of debit and credit cards (Mastercard and Visa) to mitigate risks associated with bank or network outages, as seen in past incidents like the February 2025 banking outage affecting major UK banks.
For financial resilience, 'preppers' suggest keeping a safe stash of cash, recommending at least two weeks' worth of essential expenses in smaller denominations like £5, £10, and £20 notes for practicality. This cash should be stored securely in multiple locations to deter theft. Beyond cash, growing one's own food is promoted as a way to save money (potentially over £1,300 annually) and ensure a food supply. Essential documents, including insurance papers, passports, and records of assets, should be stored safely both physically and digitally to withstand disasters. Building community networks through volunteering is also advised for mutual support during challenging times.
