On 7th July, the government announced that mobile phones in the UK will be sent a test Emergency Alert at around 3:00pm on Sunday 7 September 2025, as part of plans to strengthen the country’s preparedness.
The Emergency Alerts system is used to warn if there is a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather. It allows vital information and advice to be sent to people rapidly in an emergency.
During the test, mobile phones will vibrate and make a loud siren sound for roughly ten 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. There are approximately 87 million mobile phones in the UK.
The test will be the second of its kind and follows a government commitment to test the system regularly to make sure it works optimally and familiarise the public with the alerts.
Ahead of the national test, the government will be running a public information campaign to notify people that the test is taking place, including communications targeted at vulnerable groups, such as victims of domestic abuse. The campaign will also feature products in British Sign Language.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, has also unveiled a new Resilience Action Plan today (8 July) to improve the way the government prepares for and responds to emergencies. The Resilience Action Plan sets out:
The government will raise awareness of https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/ which gives information on simple and effective steps people can take to be more prepared for an emergency
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 going to sign a data sharing memorandum of understanding (MOU) to ensure that every nation in the UK has the best available data to prepare and respond to crises.
The Cabinet Office has produced a frequently asked questions document about the upcoming national Emergency Alert test taking place on 7 September. Councils are encouraged to share this information as appropriate.