08-07-2025
Emergency alarm to sound on all phones on anniversary of the Blitz
An emergency alert will be sent to all mobile phones in the UK to test the country's preparedness for danger to life.
At 3pm on Sunday Sept 7, the texts will be sent out to approximately 87 million mobile phones in the UK.
The alert will coincide with the 85th anniversary of the start of the Blitz, which began on Sept 7 1940.
During the test, phones will vibrate and make a loud siren sound for about 10 seconds, even if they are set to silent. A message will also appear on phone screens, making it clear the alert is only a test.
The Emergency Alerts system is used to warn if there is a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather, and will allow vital information and advice to be sent to people rapidly in an emergency.
It will be the second time such a test has taken place. The first was in April 2023 as part of a government commitment to familiarise the public with the alerts. Countries such as Japan and the USA also test similar systems.
Since April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms when lives were at risk.
The largest use of the system happened in Scotland and Northern Ireland when approximately 4.5 million people received an alert during Storm Éowyn in January 2025, when a red weather warning over risk to life was issued.
In December 2024, 3.5 million people across Wales and the South West of England received an alert during Storm Darragh, which killed two people.
Other activations have included when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Plymouth and during flash flooding in Cumbria and Leicestershire.
Potential to save lives
Before the test, the Government will run a public information campaign to notify people that it is taking place.
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said the alerts had the potential to save lives.
'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,' he said.
A new Resilience Action Plan, published on Tuesday, will improve the way the Government prepares for and responds to emergencies. A website will provide information on 'simple and effective steps' people can take to be more prepared.
These include working out the best escape route from home in the event of a fire or flood and keeping a hard copy of important phone numbers in the event of a power cut.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is investing £370 million to better secure the UK's telecommunications networks through research and investment in new technology and infrastructure.
The National Situation Centre and the Devolved Governments are also going to sign a data-sharing Memorandum of Understanding to ensure that every nation in the UK has the best available information to prepare and respond to crises.
