Strengthening Community Resilience

Peter Swallow Excerpts

Tuesday 27th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Jarvis]

I think that is a little unfair, as I have been at pains to emphasise the important work that local authorities and local resilience forums do in that regard. That is certainly my view. We have been very careful to ensure that local authorities have been involved with the design of this campaign, and we have been in regular contact with the devolved Governments and the metro mayors. The hon. Lady’s fundamental point about the importance of local government is absolutely right. Local resilience forums, which have long championed the need for a campaign like this, do a really important job, and we will continue to work closely with them in its delivery.

[Peter Swallow (Bracknell) (Lab)]

The Minister will know from our many conversations my concerns around the threats we face from foreign states and terrorism. He will also be aware that Bracknell Forest, which is 33% trees, is at particular risk of forest fires; many of my constituents are also seeing power cuts at the moment because of the storms. Will the Minister confirm to the House that the Government’s Be Ready campaign is about raising awareness, not alarm, of the full range of threats that we face to our community resilience, and empowering local people to have the tools at hand to address those concerns?

[Dan Jarvis]

Absolutely. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his long-standing interest in these matters. He is right that this is about ensuring that the public are alert, but not alarmed, and that they are ready. That is the purpose of this campaign.