Latest news with #BlitzAnniversary
Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Government's emergency text will be in Welsh and English
The Government's emergency text to all mobile phones will be available in both Welsh and English. A message will be sent to millions across the country in a national test of the UK's alert system in the event of an emergency such as war or natural disaster. The devices will vibrate and make a siren sound for around 10 seconds as they receive the text at around 3pm on Sept 7, the 85th anniversary of the start of the Blitz. It will assure that the public 'do not need to take any action' and include a message of fewer than 100 words in both English and Welsh. 'A life-threatening emergency nearby' The Government has been carrying out a public awareness campaign to ensure people know when the test is taking place, including those facing domestic abuse who may have hidden phones. On Monday, the Cabinet Office said the text message will include both English and Welsh and be sent to mobile phones on 4G and 5G networks in the UK. 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 'Visit for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg.' 'Will work if we need it' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: 'Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it. 'The alerts have the potential to save lives.' Since the first national test of the system in April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms such as Storm Eowyn in January, when lives were at risk. Other activations have taken place when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Plymouth, as well as during flash floods in Cumbria and Leicestershire. Some MPs have called on ministers to use different modes of communication for the alert to ensure it reaches people who do not have access to a phone. Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesman, has suggested the Government follow Scandinavian examples where the public has been handed pamphlets about preparing for emergencies.
Telegraph
08-07-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Emergency alarm to sound on all phones on anniversary of the Blitz
An emergency alert will be sent to all mobile phones in the UK to test the country's preparedness for danger to life. At 3pm on Sunday Sept 7, the texts will be sent out to approximately 87 million mobile phones in the UK. The alert will coincide with the 85th anniversary of the start of the Blitz, which began on Sept 7 1940. During the test, phones will vibrate and make a loud siren sound for about 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. The Emergency Alerts system is used to warn if there is a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather, and will allow vital information and advice to be sent to people rapidly in an emergency. It will be the second time such a test has taken place. The first was in April 2023 as part of a government commitment to familiarise the public with the alerts. Countries such as Japan and the USA also test similar systems. Since April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms when lives were at risk. The largest use of the system happened in Scotland and Northern Ireland when approximately 4.5 million people received an alert during Storm Éowyn in January 2025, when a red weather warning over risk to life was issued. In December 2024, 3.5 million people across Wales and the South West of England received an alert during Storm Darragh, which killed two people. Other activations have included when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Plymouth and during flash flooding in Cumbria and Leicestershire. Potential to save lives Before the test, the Government will run a public information campaign to notify people that it is taking place. Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said the alerts had the potential to save lives. '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,' he said. A new Resilience Action Plan, published on Tuesday, will improve the way the Government prepares for and responds to emergencies. A website will provide information on 'simple and effective steps' people can take to be more prepared. These include working out the best escape route from home in the event of a fire or flood and keeping a hard copy of important phone numbers in the event of a power cut. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is investing £370 million to better secure the UK's telecommunications networks through research and investment in new technology and infrastructure. The National Situation Centre and the Devolved Governments are also going to sign a data-sharing Memorandum of Understanding to ensure that every nation in the UK has the best available information to prepare and respond to crises.
