Exact date and time for UK emergency alert that will be sent to all mobile phones
Millions of people across the UK will receive a loud alarm on their mobile phones during a nationwide emergency alert test. It has now been confirmed the system will undergo its second trial at 3pm on Sunday, September 7.
Mobile devices will buzz and sound a loud siren for approximately 10 seconds - regardless of whether they're on silent mode. A notification will appear clarifying this is merely a test.
There's no action required when the test alert occurs - simply swipe the message away or press 'OK' on your phone's home screen, reports the Mirror's Pat McFadden.
The "Armageddon alert" underwent its initial nationwide trial in 2023, with five localised warnings sent subsequently to alert about severe weather conditions. Around 3.5 million people in Wales and South West England got an alert during Storm Darragh in December 2024, whilst it's also been deployed during flash floods in Cumbria and Leicestershire.
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."
The emergency alert system was deployed during a real crisis for the first time when an unexploded World War II bomb was found in Plymouth this February, as Tracey Lee, chief executive of Plymouth City Council, highlighted: "This was the first time the system had been used in a real emergency, and it played a vital role in helping us safely evacuate over 10,000 people and coordinate a complex, multi-agency response."
Countries such as Japan and the US have similar emergency systems in place. Finland conducts a nationwide test monthly, while Germany opts for an annual trial. A public information campaign will precede the upcoming test, with special attention to vulnerable groups, including domestic abuse victims. The public is encouraged to keep the potentially life-saving alert active, although there is an option to opt out for safety reasons.
Domestic abuse advocates previously expressed concerns that the alert could inadvertently tip off abusive partners about hidden phones. These developments coincide with the Government's release of a new strategy today (TUES) aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness and response.
Additionally, ministers are set to provide an update on the execution of the 2023 Biological Security Strategy, which focuses on readiness for future pandemics.
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