A key message is going out to millions of people this weekend
The Government has shed light on who will receive an emergency alert test message this weekend. The trial message is set to reach millions of people at 3pm on Sunday, September 7.
Mobile devices connected to 4G and 5G networks will make a siren-like sound and receive a message informing the person that it is merely a test event.
The emergency alert system was introduced in 2023 to warn people in a specific area about immediate life-threatening situations, such as flooding or wildfires. Conservative MP Andrew Snowden queried the Government about what measures are in place to ensure the service is accessible to those with visual or hearing impairments.
Cabinet minister Abena Oppong-Asare responded, stating: “We have ensured that the Emergency Alerts system works with voice reader software. This means that everyone who already has this and all other accessibility settings enabled on their phones should have the alert read out to them.”
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The minister also discussed what other measures are being put in place to ensure those with disabilities receive the message. She said: “As part of the communications campaign, we have developed a British Sign Language information video explaining the upcoming national test.
“We have also engaged with disability groups, including the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People and Mencap. These charities conducted engagement campaigns to reach individuals with visual impairments to help them understand more about the alerts.”
There was previously a trial run for the system in April 2023 and since then, the emergency alerts have been deployed in real-life situations, such as during Storm Darragh in December 2024. Mr Snowden asked separately what lessons had been learnt from the earlier event and how they would be implemented this time.
Ms Oppong-Asare also shared a Government response to this inquiry. She said: “The Government is committed to improving the Emergency Alerts system as it serves a crucial purpose helping to save lives in emergency situations by issuing an alert to all compatible mobile phones.”
She explained that following the scheme’s launch in 2023, there had been an initial 12-month assessment of how effective the system was. The minister said: “This analysis allowed the Government to assess the benefit of emergency alerts during life-threatening emergencies.
“Following this evaluation lessons have been taken after each activation of emergency alerts to ensure any necessary changes or technical improvements are made to improve the system.”
