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Scotsman
6 days ago
- Climate
- Scotsman
Emergency Alert test: what is the date for 2025 test in UK?
The date of the Emergency Alert test has been confirmed 🚨 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... The Emergency Alert system will be tested again in the UK. Millions of people will receive a message in September. But when exactly will the test take place? A test of the government's Emergency Alert system is set to take place in the autumn. Millions of people are set to receive a text with a 'siren' sound. It was previously tested out nationwide in spring 2023, but a second one is set to take place in September. The test is part of plans to 'strengthen the country's preparedness', the government said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The system has been used in the face of extreme weather - such as Storm Darragh - since the initial test. But when can you expect to receive the message? When is the Emergency Alert test in 2025? Emergency Alert test | Getty Images It has been confirmed that a second nationwide test of the Emergency Alert system is set to take place on Sunday, September 7. The message is due to be sent at 3pm and it will cause your mobile phone to vibrate as well as make a siren sound for roughly ten seconds. Even if your phone is set to silent, it will still make a loud noise. The test will be accompanied by a message that will appear on your screen, making it clear the alert is only a test. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 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 £4.2 billion we're investing to build a new generation of flood defences to protect local communities.' Who will receive the Emergency Alert text? Since the initial test two years ago, the system has been used on a handful of occasions - particularly around extreme weather. Alerts were sent out during Storm Darragh in 2024 and again in early 2025 for Storm Éowyn - the latter being its largest use so far. The alerts can only be sent by the emergency services, government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies. And you may get them in the event of severe flooding, fires and extreme weather - for example. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The test on September 7 will be sent to all phones in the UK, the government has confirmed. It adds that there are approximately 87 million mobile phones in the country. What happens when you get an emergency alert? The messages are usually sent to mobile phones - but could also be sent to tablets. Your device will make a loud siren-like sound, even if it's set on silent, vibrate and read out the alert. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds. An alert will include a phone number or a link to the website for more information. 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What do you think of the Emergency Alert system - have you received one of the real alerts? Let me know your experiences by email: . Find out why millions of Facebook accounts are being deleted in a huge purge this year.
Glasgow Times
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Glasgow Times
Emergency texts with 'loud siren' to be sent out in Glasgow
Mobile phone users will receive a test emergency alert around 3pm on Sunday, September 7, as part of plans to strengthen the country's preparedness. The devices will vibrate and make a loud siren noise for roughly 10 seconds, even if they are set to silent. This allows vital information and advice to be sent to people rapidly in an emergency. The system is used to warn if there's a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather. It allows vital information and advice to be sent to people rapidly in an emergency. It 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. This is in line with standard practice in other countries, such as Japan and the USA. READ NEXT: New plan revealed for historic Glasgow pub - here are the details 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 £4.2 billion we're investing to build a new generation of flood defences to protect local communities.' Since the first national test of the emergency alert 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 - including Glasgow - receive an alert during Storm Eowyn in January 2025, after a red weather warning was issued, meaning there was a risk to life.
The National
07-07-2025
- General
- The National
Everyone to get emergency alert test sent to their phone – here's when
The message – set to sound at around 3pm on Sunday, September 7 – will come as part of a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts system, which is a UK Government service that warns people when there's a danger to life nearby. 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.
