Mobile phones across the UK will sound a loud, 10-second alert at 15:00 on 7 September 2025 as part of the government\u2019s latest Emergency Alerts system test.<\/p>\n
The system, designed to warn the public of life-threatening dangers like extreme weather, sends urgent advice directly to phones\u2014even when devices are on silent. This will be only the second national test, affecting around 87 million phones. A message will confirm that the alert is a test.<\/p>\n
The trial is part of wider efforts to strengthen the UK\u2019s emergency response capabilities. Since the system\u2019s launch in 2023, five alerts have been issued, including during Storm \u00c9owyn in January 2025, when 4.5 million people in Scotland and Northern Ireland were warned of a red-level threat to life.<\/p>\n
Other activations included a WWII bomb in Plymouth<\/a>, flash floods in Cumbria and Leicestershire and Storm Darragh in December 2024, which killed two people after triggering alerts to 3.5 million people in Wales and the South West.<\/p>\n To raise awareness, a public information campaign will run in advance of the test, with targeted communications for vulnerable groups, such as victims of domestic abuse and British Sign Language materials.<\/p>\n The announcement comes as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, unveils a new Resilience Action Plan, part of the government\u2019s broader Plan for Change strategy. Measures include:<\/p>\n The government has also pledged \u00a31.3bn to establish a network of National Biosecurity Centres and \u00a34.2bn through DEFRA to develop a new generation of flood defences.<\/p>\n \u201cJust like testing a smoke alarm, it\u2019s vital we test our emergency systems so they\u2019re ready to save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Visit the Emergency Alert Test Frequently Asked Questions page<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n
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