The UK’s Emergency Alert system is a tool for providing warnings in life-threatening situations
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an alert about an important date in less than two months. Its message especially concerns anyone who owns a mobile phone or tablet device.
Posting to X, the department wrote on Sunday: “There will be a UK-wide test of the Emergency Alerts system on Sun 7 Sep 2025 at 3pm. Your phone may sound and display a message. No action is needed.”
As its message suggests, the government is testing the UK’s Emergency Alert system on Sunday, September 7 at 3pm. This specifically describes a tool used to provide warnings and advice in life-threatening emergency situations.
While the alert on September 7 is just a test, it may be used to warn UK citizens of hazards such as wildfires, severe flooding, and extreme storms in the future. The government, emergency services, agencies, and other organisations that handle emergencies can issue these cautions.
Crucially, the government does not need to know your phone number or location to send these alerts. “An alert will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information,” the government’s website explains.
“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.” When an alert occurs, a phone or tablet may either make a loud siren-like noise, vibrate or read the message aloud.
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Alerts usually last around 10 seconds. Although members of the public will not need to take action during the September 7 alert, others may provide instructions on what to do next.
However, the government adds: “Do not read or respond to an emergency alert while driving or riding. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message.
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“If there’s nowhere safe and legal to stop, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, you can listen to news on live radio to find out about the emergency. It’s illegal to use a hand-held device while driving or riding.”
It’s important to acknowledge that emergency alerts will not replace local news, radio, television or social media announcements. If you have an incompatible device, the government stresses that you will still be informed when there is a threat to life.
Most emergency alerts across the UK will be sent in English, though in Wales, they may also be received in Welsh. The government’s advice continues: “If you have a vision or hearing impairment, audio and vibration attention signals will let you know you have an emergency alert if accessibility notifications have been enabled on your mobile phone or tablet.”
For more information on the UK’s emergency alerts, visit GOV.UK.
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