Everyone to get emergency alert test sent to their phone – here's when
It allows vital information and advice to be sent to people rapidly in an emergency.
During the test, mobile phones will vibrate and make a loud siren sound for roughly 10 seconds, even if they are set to silent.
A message will also appear on phone screens, making it clear the alert is only a test. There are approximately 87 million mobile phones in the UK.
READ MORE: Anas Sarwar 'must cut ties' to Tony Blair think tank linked to 'sickening' Gaza plan
The test will be just the second of its kind and follows a government commitment to test the system regularly to make sure it works optimally and familiarise the public with the alerts.
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: 'Emergency Alerts have the potential to save lives, allowing us to share essential information rapidly in emergency situations including extreme storms. 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 is part of our action plan to build resilience across the whole country and secure the nation under the Plan for Change – from the £1 billion we're investing in a new network of National Biosecurity Centres to the £4.2bn we're investing to build a new generation of flood defences to protect local communities.'
Since the first national test of the Emergency Alerts system in April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms when lives were at risk.
The largest ever use of the system saw approximately 4.5 million people in Scotland and Northern Ireland receive an alert during Storm Éowyn in January 2025, after a red weather warning was issued, meaning there was a risk to life.
Approximately 3.5m people across Wales and the South West of England received an alert during Storm Darragh in December 2024. The storm went on to kill two people.
Other activations have included when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Plymouth, as well as during localised flash flooding in Cumbria and Leicestershire.
The news comes as the UK Government unveils a new Resilience Action Plan to improve the way the Government prepares for and responds to emergencies.
Ministers will also publish an update on how they are implementing the 2023 Biological Security Strategy, aimed at preparing for future pandemics.
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Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Scotsman
Readers' Letters: Wind farm could mean loss of Scottish bird species
Scottish Government backing for a massive windfarm off North Berwick didn't have a single correspondent on side Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It's an amazing experience to go on a boat trip to see the puffins and world-famous colony of gannets on Bass Rock. The Scottish Government has approved the Berwick Bank offshore wind farm, one of the largest wind farms in the world, which they acknowledge will affect the birds. It is off the coast of the seabirds colonies of St Abb's Head, too. The developer predicts 31,000 collisions during its 30-year life span. I do not think it is possible to predict the behaviour of birds with such accuracy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When we moved to our cottage in 1992 we would have skeins of pink-footed geese over our cottage in spring and autumn. Gladhouse Reservoir was made a Ramsar site because of the numbers there. My parents marvelled at the sight when they visited In 1999. In 2002 Bowbeat wind farm was built in the Moorfoot Hills on the flight path and we have not seen skeins from that direction for many years, and the Gladhouse numbers are now low – so much so that the RSPB could not put in an objection to the 18-turbine, 180m high Torfichen windfarm, near Gladhouse, on pink foot grounds but had to rely on other species. A view of the proposed wind farm site from St Abb's Head (Picture: National Trust for Scotland / Rachel Bonnici) How can we justify such a large experiment when Scotland is world famous for these species and we already have enough wind power for our own needs? Celia Hobbs, Penicuik, Midlothian Shot in foot? The decision in principle by the Scottish Government to grant planning permission for a completely unnecessary massive offshore wind farm (Berwick Bank) to be constructed in an environmentally sensitive location frankly beggars belief, especially given the scale of the well-judged opposition, which has simply been ignored. The irony is that Holyrood is currently contemplating the introduction of an Ecocide Bill, at the very time that the Scottish Government is complicit in ecocide committed by renewable energy companies on an ever-expanding scale. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We note that 'SSE Renewables will have to provide a plan to counter any impact the wind farm may have on seabirds to be approved by ministers", but this is thin gruel, especially as SSE is quoted as admitting in its own environmental impact assessment that more than 31,000 bird collisions are estimated during its lifespan. What will their proposed 'mitigation' provide? It is to be hoped that it will be something better than the farcically inappropriate plans Equinor has put in place to construct an inappropriately sited nesting habitat for Arctic terns, hundreds of miles from its proposed massive wind farm extension off the coast of Norfolk. Whatever it is, it is difficult to see how it can provide more than a small sticking plaster for a deliberate act of ecocide that should never have been granted permission The Scottish Government may well have shot themselves in the foot. Even people who would not normally object to a wind farm are sickened by this decision. The sleeping giant in the name of Joe Public has awakened. Aileen Jackson, Scotland Against Spin, Uplawmoor, East Renfrewshire Strange silence There is a deafening silence from Holyrood over the unit cost of electricity from Berwick Bank. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There are non-stop claims that the output is the cheapest electricity generation system in the UK, but what the SNP Energy Secretary refuses to admit is that the party have taken out three 'insurance policies' to keep the lights on in Scotland as wind output is both unreliable and inefficient. The first 'policy' is the myriad battery units required to ensure grid stability during short lulls in wind speed (over a period of minutes). The second is the output from pump store plant to cover a lack of wind over a time period of about six hours. The last is the proposed 25GW of hydrogen-fuelled gas turbines to cover for dunkelflaute weather conditions. Why, then, do our 129 MSPs refuse to inform the people of Scotland of the unit cost of wind output that includes the capital repayment and operational running costs of the three projects? Ian Moir, Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway Botched Whatever one thinks of the Berwick Bank wind farm project, we can only hope the rights auction is open so as to maximise revenue. A few years ago the SNP horribly botched the ScotWind auction, losing the public coffers a whopping £15 billion, the equivalent of more than £3,000 per adult in Scotland! George Morton, Rosyth, Fife Not so bonny Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Our beautiful country used to be called 'Bonny Scotland'. Nowadays, it would be more apt to call it 'Pylon-ny Scotland'. Please, please rid us of these horrible eyesores. John MacKay, Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire Legal focus Veteran nurse Sandie Peggie, who was suspended by NHS Fife for objecting to the presence of a male-born, female-identifying doctor in a female changing room while she was undressing, has enjoyed a groundswell of public support. However, NHS Fife's lawyer, Jane Russell KC, produced two witnesses, both former colleagues and friends. Their evidence mainly focused on Ms Peggie's presumed character based on some politically incorrect banter at some point in the past. Ms Peggie actually didn't deny this and admits it was in bad taste. Arguably Ms Russell's detailed questions about Sandie Peggie's menstrual flow and who is paying for her case weren't exactly tasteful either. Yet nothing of this should deflect from the matter at hand. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What the judges will have to decide is not whether Ms Peggie 'deserved' to be suspended due to her supposedly flawed character. They will decide whether NHS Fife acted fairly and lawfully when suspending a nurse for insisting on her sex-based rights, no more, no less. Their conclusion will ultimately guide public perception of the case. Regina Erich, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire Terrible talk I'd just like to say well done Anas Sarwar for saying what every decent person in Scotland is thinking. 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If the efforts of Alex Salmond, and his prodigy Nicola Sturgeon, failed to convince the people of Scotland that independence would be to their advantage, then John Swinney is on a hiding to nothing campaign in respect of Scottish independence. The Holyrood elections in May 2026 will hopefully see off the SNP for a very long period. Let us hope that whatever alliance of political parties is needed to achieve this objective, we will see radical changes put into effect at Holyrood, and at local council levels. Fellow Scots, let us all be fully supportive of whatever alliance of political parties is needed to oust the SNP. Unless radical changes are put into effect at Holyrood, then the only answer to Scotland's political dilemma is to return all political powers to Westminster. Hopefully that will not be our only option! Robert IG Scott, Northfield, Ceres, Fife Good call I congratulate Foysol Choudhury for his article in The Scotsman, 'Staying silent over Gaza risks complicity in war crimes, even in Scotland' (Perspective, 1 August). He confirms 'the right of every person to live free from fear, violence and oppression and there must be immediate international action to stop the violence, protect civilians, and hold those responsible to account'. It's rare for a Labour MSP to call out and criticise Hamas. Lewis Finnie, Edinburgh An apology Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As a beleaguered American citizen, I first want to apologise to the Scots for inflicting Donald Trump upon you, and the world. Secondly, my profound thanks and blessings on your heads for your protests, marches, signs, etc displayed during his visit. 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BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Fire safety plans for Jersey residents living in tall buildings
Islanders living in tall buildings in Jersey are set to be consulted on proposals which experts say will improve safety. The Government of Jersey said there were more than 125 tall residential buildings on the island, towering 11m (36ft) or more, which housed thousands of home owners and said proposed fire safety regulations would implement some of the key recommendations from the Grenfell Tower phase one inquiry report, aimed at maintaining and improving of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service area commander, Jason Masterman, said the regulations would ensure self-closing fire doors and smoke control systems were "regularly checked and maintained". He added: "Residents will also receive clear fire safety information, and our crews will have access to simple accurate building floor plans and signposting to help them respond more effectively in emergencies"A total of 72 people, including 18 children, died in the Grenfell Tower fire which happened on 14 June in for Justice and Home Affairs, Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, said: "Thankfully, no similar fires have occurred here, but that does not mean we should not seek to make the places where so many islanders live as safe as possible."Approximately 19% of Jersey's tall residential buildings are estimated to be closely meeting the English regulatory requirements, with some others partially achieving them." Officials said while there had been no "significant evidence of excessive fire risk", the island's tall buildings, as a group, were at risk of falling behind similar buildings in England in three areas included the frequency of routine key fire safety checks, the provision of fire safety instructions to residents and the quality of building information provided to the fire said there was currently no dedicated Jersey fire safety law which required the buildings to manage and maintain their fire safety measures on an ongoing Hegarat added: "Creating regulations to implement some of the key building fire safety recommendations from the Grenfell Tower phase one inquiry report is a logical and sensible step in the light of the inquiry's findings."
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
UK postcodes with highest energy bills named as warning sent to millions
According to the Government's latest available data, the CR0 postcode in Croydon, South London, used the most combined electricity and gas in 2023 - twice as much as other boroughs Around 2.5 million households across the UK have been issued a warning as the areas with the highest energy consumption have been disclosed. The most recent government data has pinpointed the UK postcodes with the greatest electricity and gas usage, alongside warnings for households on Economy 7 tariffs. As of 30 June 2025, the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) began its phase-out, meaning the radio signal that operates Economy 7 meters will eventually be deactivated, rendering meter control impossible. This switch-off will impact energy customers who have an RTS meter in their property, potentially disrupting their heating and hot water supply. However, meters are currently being replaced nationwide in a phased manner to minimise disruption. It comes after Martin Lewis warned 'nothing to do with me' after complaints from money savers. Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert, previously issued a warning to households in June. Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, he stated: "Got an old Economy 7 or multi-rate electricity meter? The 'Radio Teleswitch Service' which allows some old (non-smart) meters to function will be switched off at end of this month. It could mean your heating and hot water won't function properly, or incorrect bills. You need a meter upgrade now." As reported by Manchester Evening News, the latest available Government data said that the CR0 postcode in Croydon, London had the highest combined electricity and gas usage in 2023. UK postcodes with the highest electricity use The CR0 postcode witnessed 224,034,930.99 kWh of electricity consumption across 61,886 households in the region. This equates to an average of 3,620.12 per household, which is nearly 1000 kWh above the national average of 2,700. kWh used - Electricity CR0 224034930.99 E14 171017722.06 LE2 150549144.34 LE3 141917617.09 SL6 141616301.55 N1 131078524.94 BN2 129748451.88 SE1 125601027.36 E17 124215668.64 BN3 121700778.81 READ MORE: Thousands of people to get free £290 payment this year - see who is eligible UK postcodes with the highest gas consumption For gas usage, the identical postcode recorded 61,886 households consuming 695,027,142.56 kWh, positioning them marginally below the national average of 11,500 kWh at approximately 11,230 kWh per household. kWh Used - Gas CR0 695027142.56 LE2 570963489.32 LE3 482089812.55 LE4 463536589.02 NG5 436596630.24 LE5 426926424.31 SL6 426231598.44 ST5 414291175.62 CV6 401969225.78 SW19 394512742.79 Steve Ferguson from Jefferson Gas offered some energy-saving advice for residents adapting to new metres and tariffs following the switch-off. "The advantage of Economy 7 tariffs has always been the ability to carry out tasks that use a lot of energy at times when the pricing is lower or 'off peak'," he explained. "With the RTS switch-off meaning that this may no longer be possible, people who have relied on this to cut their energy bills may find themselves having to change their habits in order to adapt." Steve continued: "While it would require an initial investment, those with the available budget may wish to change their electric heating system to Gas, as per unit, electricity on average is around 25 pence per KWH with a daily standing charge of 51 pence, and gas is on average around 6-7 pence per unit. Depending on your consumption, you may be able to recoup your investment in a relatively short amount of time." He added: "Similarly, it's worth checking the energy efficiency ratings of any older appliances and updating them where possible, as this will minimise the amount of energy used in everyday tasks such as cooking or laundry. Even small steps such as switching from filament to LED lightbulbs can help to lower your consumption. Ultimately however the best way to cut usage is by building better habits." Research from 2018 revealed that households leaving lights blazing throughout the night waste over 3 million pounds every single night in squandered electricity - a figure that would be considerably higher given today's soaring prices. Steven said: "While it's certainly not a new message, remembering to switch off lights when you leave a room is arguably more important now that more people are working from home." "If you have the space, hang clothes to dry on sunny days instead of using the tumble drier. When you make a cup of tea or coffee, only boil as much water as you need and while a long bath is a great way to relax, a 4 minute shower will use a lot less energy for the same result," he concluded.
