Exact date millions of Scots will be sent emergency government alert to phones
BE AWARE Exact date millions of Scots will be sent emergency government alert to phones
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
MILLIONS of mobile phones across Scotland are set to receive another emergency alert in weeks.
The system is designed for situations where there is an imminent danger to life, such as extreme weather or a terror attack.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Millions of Scots have been warned to expect another emergency alert test
Credit: PA
And it is hoped that the mobile phone alerts could save lives during raging storms or when wildfires break out.
After previous tests in 2023, the system was used for real earlier this year.
Back in January, the Government issued an alert during Storm Eowyn to warn people in Scotland and Northern Ireland about severe weather.
At the time, a red weather warning was in place, meaning there was a risk to life.
It was the largest ever use of the system, with around 4.5 million people receiving the alert.
And now a Cabinet minister has revealed that Scots are set to receive another test alert in the coming weeks.
On Sunday, September 7, at around 3pm, mobile phones across Scotland connected to 4G and 5G will receive the test alert.
During the test, mobile phones will vibrate and make a loud siren-like sound for roughly ten seconds, even if they are set to silent.
iPhone and Android users will have to acknowledge the alert before they can continue using their devices.
In addition to vibrations and noise, mobile phone users will receive a message, making it clear the alert is only a test.
Three little-known ways 'unknown tracker alerts' on Android can keep you safe
It will read: "This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK Government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby.
"You do not need to take any action.
"In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
"Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at gov.uk/prepare."
SCAM WARNING
SCOTS have previously been warned about potential scams by criminals seeking to exploit the Emergency Alert System test.
Advice Direct Scotland said people should be wary of requests from anyone claiming to be connected to the alerts system asking for remote access to mobile phones or other devices.
The charity also stressed that any requests for personal or financial information through text message, email, or by telephone claiming to be related to testing activity would be bogus.
Lyndsay McFee, team lead at consumeradvice.scot, said: 'For the activity on Sunday, April 23, you will receive a notification saying that there is a test taking place which will pop up on your screen and can be swiped away like any other alert.
'The system does not track your location, require your phone number to be entered, or collect any of your personal data.
'Scammers often reach out through text message, email, or by phone call to request what may seem like insignificant information.
"However, these tactics can be used to gather our data to use against us later.
'If you receive a request from someone claiming to be contacting you in relation to the alerts, you can report this using the Quick Reporting Tool at scamwatch.scot, or alternatively by contacting the team at consumeradvice.scot.'
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said the drill will be one of the biggest public safety exercises" in UK history.
He said: "From major storms to wildfires, this system could save your life in an emergency.
"Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test the system so that we know it will work if we need it.
"This test will be one of the biggest public safety exercises in our nation's history.
"Mark the date, spread the word and take a moment to think about how you would respond in a real emergency."
There are estimated to be 87 million mobile phones in the UK.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
36 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Return of the flip phone: does Apple's foldable iPhone signal a new era in design?
Back in 2005, nothing felt more high-powered and sophisticated than ending a call by snapping shut a clamshell flip phone. Now, two decades since they hit peak popularity, they're back – with Apple rumoured to be working on its first ever flip phone. Little is known about how it will look. It could resemble Samsung's Flip design – closer to a 2000s-style clamshell phone – or its Fold, more like a foldable iPad. A JPMorgan report has suggested that the first foldable iPhone will be revealed in September 2026, priced at $1,999 (£1,474), and will likely expand a foldable phone market expected to reach 19m units in 2025. The rectangular tablet has been a mainstay of phone design for the last 15 years, but could Apple betting on the flip phone be a sign that's about to change? Tech experts said the new product launch probably reflected the fact that people now mostly access the internet on their phones, rather than laptops or tablets, and are looking for a device that optimises that experience – but the high price point suggests it will remain a premium product. 'Apple and all other smartphone makers are somewhat stymied by the fact the smartphone has become somewhat of a boring category – it's absolutely essential in people's daily lives, but it no longer has the excitement of the next big thing,' said Ben Wood, an analyst at the tech consultancy CCS Insight. This is why Apple has been reaching for new designs that can get people talking – for example, the ultra-thin iPhone, expected to be launched in September. Wood thinks Apple is entering the foldable market because other companies have experimented first. Samsung's initial Galaxy Fold designs were bedevilled by screen problems, but next week's Galaxy Flip and Fold 7 triple release, featuring slimmer designs and bigger screens, is expected to represent the 'next generation' of foldable phones, which Samsung will be hoping reverses the flatlining sales in 2024. 'Apple is rarely first to anything – it's not typically a company that dives in with both feet – it likes to take its time, see how it can refine and optimise it, and deliver the best, most reliable experience, then it jumps,' Wood said. He noted that Samsung's flip phone has been more popular than the fold model 'because it's cheaper and has captured imagination of the population who like the idea of having something different from everyone else'. Sign up to TechScape A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives after newsletter promotion But he thinks that Apple producing a foldable mini-tablet has the most potential to 'move the needle' by giving people the opportunity to unfold a larger screen where they can easily watch videos, show off photos and browse documents when working remotely. Margarita Panayiotou, a tech researcher at the University of Manchester, said academic research had identified that people prefer bigger screens for browsing and gaming. This, combined with the fact that young people, especially, tend to use smartphones to go online, suggests that the foldable design could offer an ideal compromise for future consumers. Prof Ben Carter, who researches how smartphones impact our lives at King's College London, agreed that video watching was 'one of the wins' for foldable phones, especially since videos constitute a growing proportion of the content that people consume. Foldable phones can have larger screens and can also be propped up for easier viewing. He thought there could be mental health benefits to a design resembling a 'mini-laptop that you can close down'. His research shows that disabling notifications is highly effective in reducing screen time and tackling smartphone addiction. If the screen is not visible, it removes the 'variable reward scheme' – the same process by which gambling addiction works, whereby not knowing when you will receive a reward makes something more compelling. 'If you can switch it off, more like a laptop, that distraction has gone,' he said, though he noted there waws not yet evidence that people are using foldable phones in this way. This might be especially beneficial for children, who receive on average more than 200 notifications a day – though the high price point of foldable phones makes it unlikely that many will have access to them until their parents pass on secondhand models several years after launch. Prof David Ellis, the chair of behavioural science at the University of Bath, said that other draws include the fact that screens are better protected and fit into a smaller pocket, as well as the 'sense of nostalgia that comes with a flip phone'. But he added that it might not be the gamechanger people are expecting: Apple doesn't have a '100% success rate – the Vision Pro [headset] has been a spectacular failure'.
Auto Express
2 hours ago
- Auto Express
What cars qualify for the electric car grant? Full list with our best (and worst) picks
It's been just over a month since the UK Government announced the launch of a new Electric Car Grant (ECG) that aims to make EVs more affordable for more people by removing up to £3,750 off the price of select zero-emissions cars. However, as you probably know (and may have guessed) not every electric car on sale is eligible for a Government-funded price cut. We're not just talking about incredibly opulent EVs such as the Rolls-Royce Spectre or Lotus Evija. There are complex criteria that car manufacturers and their models have to meet in order to receive the ECG. Firstly, only cars starting from less than £37,000 are eligible to receive the Government's subsidy. Then there are two distinct bands. Band 1 is for the most sustainably produced EVs, and they qualify for the full £3,750 discount. Those considered to meet a lesser standard fall into Band 2 and receive £1,500 off. Advertisement - Article continues below At the time of writing, no cars receive the full £3,750 grant. But there is now a rather diverse selection of more than 20 EVs that get the £1,500 discount. If any of the cars on the list take your fancy and you feel like now is the right time to go electric, we can help. Our electric car deals page has all the top offers, and our parent site Carwow is running a live hub page for the latest EV discounts. You can also spec your perfect new electric car through our fantastic Buy a Car service . Alpine will be known to most people as either a sports car maker or Formula One team. But earlier this year, the performance brand launched its first-ever EV: a meaner version of the new Renault 5 called the Alpine A290, and the exciting electric hot hatch is officially eligible for the Electric Car Grant. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Alpine A290 – best EV grant car for keen drivers - prices now start from £32,000 The first six electric cars eligible for the Government's new grant were all Citroens, including the Auto Express 2024 Car of the Year, the Citroen e-C3. Its more practical sibling, the Citroen e-C3 Aircross, and the all-new Citroen e-C5 Aircross family SUV are also eligible. Advertisement - Article continues below The Cupra Born is among the latest batch of cars that the Government has confirmed is eligible for its new grant. The sporty electric hatchback offers up to 346 miles of range, punchy performance and a roomy yet sporty-feeling cabin. Cupra Born - prices now start from £34,190 Nissan is confident that the all-new, third-generation Leaf coming soon will be eligible for the full £3,750 grant. In the meantime, the new Micra supermini (which is based on the Renault 5) has received the £1,500 grant. Meanwhile, the Nissan Ariya family SUV is now up to £9,000 cheaper than before thanks to the ECG and Nissan itself cutting the price. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below At the time of writing, Peugeot has confirmed three of its electric models are eligible for the Government grant: the E-208 supermini, E-2008 small SUV and E-Rifter MPV. However the stylish French car maker has more EVs in its line-up which might receive the grant later. Advertisement - Article continues below Renault's entire line-up of electric cars is now officially eligible for the Electric Car Grant, including two recent Auto Express New Car Award winners: the new Renault 5 supermini, which is our Affordable Electric Car of the Year for 2025, plus the reborn Renault 4 that won the hotly contested Small SUV of the Year award. Renault 4 - prices now start from £25,495 Renault 5 - Best value EV grant car - prices now start from £21,495 - prices now start from £21,495 Renault Megane - prices now start from £30,995 Renault Scenic - Best EV grant car for families - prices now start from £35,495 Vauxhall also has six electric cars in its line-up all eligible for the EV grant, from the Corsa Electric supermini to the very big, very practical Grandland Electric. Thanks to the grant, the new Vauxhall Frontera Electric is actually now more affordable than the petrol-powered versions of the small SUV, as prices start from just £22,495. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Like Peugeot, Volkswagen has several electric cars in its line-up, but so far only has one model that's officially eligible for the Government grant. The VW ID.3 is the Cupra Born's less athletic cousin. It's incredibly refined on the motorway and it delivers up to 352 miles of range, so is a good choice for people who cover a lot of miles. Advertisement - Article continues below Volkswagen ID.3 - prices now start from £29,360 We expect many more models will be getting a price cut over the coming weeks and months, but these are our picks for the best cars that come with the EV grant right now. Leading the pack has to be the Renault 5. For a small electric car, it feels very sophisticated and well-rounded, thanks to its impressive handling abilities, refinement and Google-powered technology. The retro looks and charm sprinkled throughout are the cherry on top. What more could you want? Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below If your answer to that question was space, there's the slightly larger and boxier Renault 4, our Small SUV of the Year. As well as a bigger boot and more rear-seat space, the R4 also offers one-pedal driving – something its sibling doesn't right now – which is great for driving around town. Another Auto Express award winner, the Citroen e-C3, focuses on comfort, efficiency, affordability and just being a very easy car to live with. Alternatively, if you want something more practical, there's the Citroen e-C3 Aircross which is available for just £1,000 extra, has a bigger boot and offers beefier SUV design. For family buyers, our recommendations are the Renault Scenic and Nissan Ariya, which are actually based on the same platform but have very different styles and technology onboard. Both provide plenty of space and range though. While there are lots of excellent, hugely capable electric cars available with the EV grant, we'd recommend buyers avoid the Peugeot E-208 and E-2008, as well as the Vauxhall Mokka. All three are certainly stylish EVs, but they're all several years old at this point, yet considerably more expensive than their rivals. For instance, the entry-level E-208 costs about the same as the top-of-the-range version of the Renault 5, yet offers less range and features rather dated technology. The Vauxhall Mokka and Peugeot E-2008 seem even more overpriced when you consider they start from £31k and £33k respectively, after the EV grant has been applied. That's about the same price as the Citroen e-C5 Aircross – a much newer, full-size family SUV with more range – and several thousand pounds more than their key rival, the Renault 4. Did you know you can sell your car with Auto Express? Get the highest bid from our network of over 5,500 dealers and we'll do the rest. Click here to try Auto Express Sell My Car now ... Find a car with the experts New Volkswagen, Peugeot and Cupra models gain EV Grant price cuts More cars qualify for the Government's discounts, but there's still not a single car eligible for the maximum £3,750 discount Citroen recall expanded: More Stellantis car owners told to stop driving immediately Three more models have been added to the recall concerning dangerous Takata airbags Forget Netflix, Volkswagen locks horsepower behind paid subscription Owners can now subscribe to boost the power of their car… for a fee Fire risk prompts 72,000-car Stellantis UK recall 28 models across Alfa Romeo, Citroen, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lanica, Peugeot and Vauxhall are impacted by the recall New electric Ford pick-up to cost an astonishing £22k New electric Ford pick-up to cost an astonishing £22k Looking for its new Model T moment, Ford USA announces new affordable EV platform, starting with new pick-up truck Best car tyres to buy now 2025: top tyres tested and reviewed Best car tyres to buy now 2025: top tyres tested and reviewed Nine brands go head to head in our annual test, but which one should you put on your car? Product group tests 13 Aug 2025 New Jaecoo E5 is a Range Rover lookalike with a very attractive price New Jaecoo E5 is a Range Rover lookalike with a very attractive price Chinese newcomer's first electric SUV is also a rival to the award-winning Kia EV3 and Hyundai Kona Electric
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Anyone bad at replying to messages should try this iPhone tip - it's a game-changer
If you're someone who struggles to keep on top of messages, there's a quick iPhone hack that can help Do you find yourself taking an age to respond to messages from your friends and family? Turns out, there's a nifty iPhone trick that can help you prioritise those all-important texts - and it's a lifesaver for anyone who struggles to keep in touch. Before trying this, make sure your iPhone is fully updated with the latest software. As per Apple's advice, this handy tip should work on anything from an iPhone 6S to the latest 15 series. Explaining the hack, Faris Memon, a tech specialist at Vivid Ads, previously told the Mirror: "If you get a text you can't answer straight away, pin the conversation to remind yourself to reply later. "Once you've messaged back (usually at the end of the day), you can unpin it and it'll go back to the regular list." To pin specific messages to the top of your list, first open the Messages app on your device. Then press and hold the specific conversation you want to pin. This will bring up a small menu at the bottom of your screen, with 'Pin' listed as the first option. Tap it, and the chat will appear in a large bubble above all other messages. Faris continued: "Alternatively, [you can] tap 'Edit' in the top left corner [of your Messages app], then select 'Edit Pins'. Here, you'll see yellow thumbtacks next to each conversation. "Tap the ones you want to pin, then hit 'Done' to save. Remember, you can pin up to nine chats at once." If you're worried that your delayed responses might come across as impolite, there's another simple solution you can use. This involves turning off your 'read receipts' - the notifications that reveal when you've read someone's text and potentially how long you've been ignoring it. To do this, head to an iPhone's Settings app and scroll down before selecting the ' Apps ' and then 'Messages' option. This should bring up a new menu with various green toggles. Look for the one labelled 'Send Read Receipts' and tap the toggle to change it from green to grey - effectively switching it off. This way, the sender will only see that their text has been 'Delivered', not read.
