The Government has called it “one of the largest public safety exercises of its kind”
Millions of mobile phones across the United Kingdom will simultaneously sound an alarm when an emergency alert system is tested next week. The Government has announced that the second ever national alert test will occur around 3pm on Sunday, September 7, in what it describes as “one of the largest public safety exercises of its kind”.
Mobiles will vibrate and emit a siren-like tone for ten seconds, with a test message appearing on screens to clarify that the alert is merely a drill. The timing for this exercise, planned for Sunday afternoon, has been meticulously selected by emergency planners in COBR to cause minimal disruption to work and school routines, reports the Express.
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, stated: “Next Sunday will be one of the UK’s largest public safety exercises in history, as we ensure the Emergency Alerts system is ready to help keep the country safe. The test alert will be issued by COBR, the government’s emergency planning team whose work usually takes place behind the scenes.”
He added: “Emergency Alerts have the power to save lives. In real life emergencies, it’s vital to rapidly share warnings and advice, which is why we keep the system on standby 24/7.”
COBR, which brings together ministers, senior officials and expert planners, coordinates the national response during major incidents.
What is the purpose of the Emergency Alerts?
Since its launch in April 2023, the Emergency Alerts system has been utilised five times to issue warnings of life-threatening danger, including during Storm Éowyn in January 2025, when an urgent warning of extreme conditions was received by 4.5 million people across Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The system has also proven to be a crucial tool in local emergencies, such as in Plymouth where over 10,000 residents were swiftly evacuated after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb.
What will the alert say?
Only devices enabled with 4G and 5G will receive the alert next Sunday, and they must be switched on and within range of a mobile phone mast.
The message 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.”
This comes following the release of the government’s Resilience Action Plan, which outlines plans for a new network of National Biosecurity Centres worth £1 billion and a £4.2 billion investment to bolster flood defences.
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