logo
DWP issues 'Emergency Alerts' update to anyone with a phone

DWP issues 'Emergency Alerts' update to anyone with a phone

Daily Mirror5 days ago
The UK's Emergency Alert system is a tool for providing warnings in life-threatening situations
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an alert about an important date in less than two months. Its message especially concerns anyone who owns a mobile phone or tablet device.

Posting to X, the department wrote on Sunday: "There will be a UK-wide test of the Emergency Alerts system on Sun 7 Sep 2025 at 3pm. Your phone may sound and display a message. No action is needed."

As its message suggests, the government is testing the UK's Emergency Alert system on Sunday, September 7 at 3pm. This specifically describes a tool used to provide warnings and advice in life-threatening emergency situations.

While the alert on September 7 is just a test, it may be used to warn UK citizens of hazards such as wildfires, severe flooding, and extreme storms in the future. The government, emergency services, agencies, and other organisations that handle emergencies can issue these cautions.
Crucially, the government does not need to know your phone number or location to send these alerts. "An alert will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information," the government's website explains.

"You'll get alerts based on your current location - not where you live or work. You do not need to turn on location services to receive alerts." When an alert occurs, a phone or tablet may either make a loud siren-like noise, vibrate or read the message aloud.
READ MORE: 'Itchy prickly feeling' and spots may be a hot weather symptom, NHS explains
Alerts usually last around 10 seconds. Although members of the public will not need to take action during the September 7 alert, others may provide instructions on what to do next.
However, the government adds: "Do not read or respond to an emergency alert while driving or riding. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message.

"If there's nowhere safe and legal to stop, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, you can listen to news on live radio to find out about the emergency. It's illegal to use a hand-held device while driving or riding."
It's important to acknowledge that emergency alerts will not replace local news, radio, television or social media announcements. If you have an incompatible device, the government stresses that you will still be informed when there is a threat to life.
Most emergency alerts across the UK will be sent in English, though in Wales, they may also be received in Welsh. The government's advice continues: "If you have a vision or hearing impairment, audio and vibration attention signals will let you know you have an emergency alert if accessibility notifications have been enabled on your mobile phone or tablet."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sewage leak at Aberdeen beach leads to swimming warning
Sewage leak at Aberdeen beach leads to swimming warning

BBC News

time5 hours ago

  • BBC News

Sewage leak at Aberdeen beach leads to swimming warning

People are being advised to avoid swimming and paddling at Aberdeen beach after sewage was discharged into the spill happened during a power outage at Nigg Waste Water Treatment Works, which also caused a power cut in the area on Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said power had been restored but confirmed sewage was discharged into the sea close to Aberdeen harbour.A spokesperson said its "temporary guidance" was to avoid bathing in the area until it was satisfied that the situation had returned to normal.

London's Hot Air Balloon Regatta cancelled for sixth year running
London's Hot Air Balloon Regatta cancelled for sixth year running

BBC News

time5 hours ago

  • BBC News

London's Hot Air Balloon Regatta cancelled for sixth year running

London's Lord Mayor's Hot Air Balloon Regatta has been stood down for the sixth year running. Wind direction and speed have been blamed for the cancellation of Sunday's event, which could have seen as many as 60 balloons in the skies across the capital. The regatta was last held in 2019 when 46 hot air balloons launched from Battersea Park.A spokeswoman said: "We're all really gutted because yesterday it looked like it might happen. It's the British weather. It's such a pain. And everyone had put so much into it." Depending on the direction of the wind, the balloons could have passed over landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London and Tower to launch from Battersea Park again, Sunday was the last planned possible date of the were previously scheduled on 11 May and 20 July. It is hoped to go ahead in 2026. In 2020 and 2021 the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus in 2022, 2023 and 2024 it failed to get off the ground because of poor event supports the Lord Mayor's Appeal and has raised more than £250,000 since 2015.

Wetheral Oak Tree animal shelter faces months of post-flood work
Wetheral Oak Tree animal shelter faces months of post-flood work

BBC News

time12 hours ago

  • BBC News

Wetheral Oak Tree animal shelter faces months of post-flood work

An animal charity said it has months of work ahead to fix its drainage system after flash flooding hit its Tree Animals' Charity in Wetheral, near Carlisle, had to move out about 20 cats and dogs after heavy rainfall last the clean-up operation begins, staff are finding out the extent of the damage and what needs to be done to prevent it happening again."Our drainage system has taken a real hit, it's full of all the sediment, so having to repair that is the big challenge," said Matt Notter, CEO at the charity. One of the kennel blocks will have to remain closed for the foreseeable future, but Mr Notter said all the animals in their care were safe, with some having moved to different dry spaces and others placed in foster homes or taken home by said: "We're surviving, we're managing, but I'd say the big impact is we've had to stop and delay some of the intake of some of the animals, so people waiting to bring animals in that need our help." He added other charities had reached out to support the shelter, but he was disappointed to have to slow down on new arrivals."We are finding as many ways as we can to overcome that."We're looking for more and more foster carers if anyone is interested in applying - that's a big help right now."An online appeal raised more than £24,000 in just three days, with cash donations and items also being handed by the community."We don't know the grand total yet, but it's a lot and we're obviously very grateful," Mr Notter said. "It won't cover all of the damage, [which] is more than that value once you start having to dig up things to fix drains."It starts to rack up very quickly."He added the shelter was hoping to receive support from a drainage or construction company to lend machinery or their the meantime, he said the prospect of another flood was his main concern."We're worried about anything happening overnight at the moment. "The animals are all in a place that didn't flood so we should be fine, but we're still worrying." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store