Latest news with #PatMcFadden
Scotsman
a day 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.
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Water industry may be added to list of sensitive business sectors, says minister
It comes amid an overhaul of regulation for the troubled sector and as firms including Thames Water and Southern Water face financial woes. Communications, energy and data infrastructure are among the 17 sectors that must notify the investment security unit of certain business deals since the list was created in 2021. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden has asked for businesses' views on extending this requirement to the water sector. It is not expected to affect large numbers of deals but reflects 'increasing risks to the sector's resilience in a growing threat landscape', the Cabinet Office said. 'Data shows our investment security powers are working well, but there's more we can do to ensure our tool kit keeps pace with the modern economy,' Mr McFadden said. 'We're taking action to hone the type of transactions facing the greatest scrutiny, as well as consulting on updates to the sectors of the economy specified in the legislation.' Thames Water is battling to secure funding to shore up its creaking finances and stave off temporary nationalisation by the Government. Southern Water asked its owner, Australian investment firm Macquarie, for an extra £2.1 billion earlier this month to help boost its struggling finances. Making semiconductors and critical minerals into their own standalone categories and moving computing hardware to fall under semiconductors is also being proposed. Mr McFadden also said he planned to remove some requirements that are 'very unlikely to present risk'. Businesses will no longer need to notify the unit of certain internal reorganisations or when appointing liquidators, special administrators and official receivers. Secondary legislation would be brought to Parliament to put these changes in place.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Water industry may be added to list of sensitive business sectors, says minister
It comes amid an overhaul of regulation for the troubled sector and as firms including Thames Water and Southern Water face financial woes. Communications, energy and data infrastructure are among the 17 sectors that must notify the investment security unit of certain business deals since the list was created in 2021. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said the Government was taking action to 'hone the type of transactions facing greatest scrutiny' (James Manning/PA) Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden has asked for businesses' views on extending this requirement to the water sector. It is not expected to affect large numbers of deals but reflects 'increasing risks to the sector's resilience in a growing threat landscape', the Cabinet Office said. 'Data shows our investment security powers are working well, but there's more we can do to ensure our tool kit keeps pace with the modern economy,' Mr McFadden said. 'We're taking action to hone the type of transactions facing the greatest scrutiny, as well as consulting on updates to the sectors of the economy specified in the legislation.' Thames Water is battling to secure funding to shore up its creaking finances and stave off temporary nationalisation by the Government. Southern Water sought an extra £2.1 billion from its Australian owner earlier this month (Chris Ison/PA) Southern Water asked its owner, Australian investment firm Macquarie, for an extra £2.1 billion earlier this month to help boost its struggling finances. Making semiconductors and critical minerals into their own standalone categories and moving computing hardware to fall under semiconductors is also being proposed. Mr McFadden also said he planned to remove some requirements that are 'very unlikely to present risk'. Businesses will no longer need to notify the unit of certain internal reorganisations or when appointing liquidators, special administrators and official receivers. Secondary legislation would be brought to Parliament to put these changes in place.
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Water industry may be added to list of sensitive business sectors, says minister
Water companies and their investors could see potential deals face extra scrutiny under plans to add the industry to a list of sensitive sectors. It comes amid an overhaul of regulation for the troubled sector and as firms including Thames Water and Southern Water face financial woes. Communications, energy and data infrastructure are among the 17 sectors that must notify the investment security unit of certain business deals since the list was created in 2021. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden has asked for businesses' views on extending this requirement to the water sector. It is not expected to affect large numbers of deals but reflects 'increasing risks to the sector's resilience in a growing threat landscape', the Cabinet Office said. 'Data shows our investment security powers are working well, but there's more we can do to ensure our tool kit keeps pace with the modern economy,' Mr McFadden said. 'We're taking action to hone the type of transactions facing the greatest scrutiny, as well as consulting on updates to the sectors of the economy specified in the legislation.' Thames Water is battling to secure funding to shore up its creaking finances and stave off temporary nationalisation by the Government. Southern Water asked its owner, Australian investment firm Macquarie, for an extra £2.1 billion earlier this month to help boost its struggling finances. Making semiconductors and critical minerals into their own standalone categories and moving computing hardware to fall under semiconductors is also being proposed. Mr McFadden also said he planned to remove some requirements that are 'very unlikely to present risk'. Businesses will no longer need to notify the unit of certain internal reorganisations or when appointing liquidators, special administrators and official receivers.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Water industry may be added to list of sensitive business sectors, says minister
It comes amid an overhaul of regulation for the troubled sector and as firms including Thames Water and Southern Water face financial woes. Communications, energy and data infrastructure are among the 17 sectors that must notify the investment security unit of certain business deals since the list was created in 2021. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden has asked for businesses' views on extending this requirement to the water sector. It is not expected to affect large numbers of deals but reflects 'increasing risks to the sector's resilience in a growing threat landscape', the Cabinet Office said. 'Data shows our investment security powers are working well, but there's more we can do to ensure our tool kit keeps pace with the modern economy,' Mr McFadden said. 'We're taking action to hone the type of transactions facing the greatest scrutiny, as well as consulting on updates to the sectors of the economy specified in the legislation.' Thames Water is battling to secure funding to shore up its creaking finances and stave off temporary nationalisation by the Government. Southern Water asked its owner, Australian investment firm Macquarie, for an extra £2.1 billion earlier this month to help boost its struggling finances. Making semiconductors and critical minerals into their own standalone categories and moving computing hardware to fall under semiconductors is also being proposed. Mr McFadden also said he planned to remove some requirements that are 'very unlikely to present risk'. Businesses will no longer need to notify the unit of certain internal reorganisations or when appointing liquidators, special administrators and official receivers. Secondary legislation would be brought to Parliament to put these changes in place.
