The United Kingdom is set to conduct its first test of a new emergency alert service on Sunday as a loud alarm will ring from millions of mobile phones and the devices will vibrate at 3:00 pm (1400 GMT).

The national emergency system, which has been modelled based on similar schemes in the United States, the Netherlands, Canada and Japan, aims to warn the people if there is something nearby which can endanger their life but has received criticism over "nanny state" intrusion.

"This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby,” the message will say.

The government and emergency services hope to use the system for alerting people regarding issues like fire and severe flooding.

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The alarm, which will ring for 10 seconds, will emit a sound even if the mobile phones are on silent and is likely to disrupt sporting and entertainment events, including Premier League football matches.

World Snooker Championship's organisers will put the play on pause just before the alert rings on the mobiles, while the members of the Society of London Theatre have been advised to ask audiences to switch off their phones.

The drivers have received a warning against picking up their phones during the test, and people who are not willing to receive the alerts have the option to opt out of the settings of their devices.

"Keep Calm and Carry On. That is the British way and it is exactly what the country will do when they receive this test alert at 3:00 pm today," Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said.

"The government's number-one job is to keep people safe and this is another tool in the toolkit for emergency situations,” he added.

<h2>'Terrifying': Plan receives criticism from a section of society</h2>

The plan was criticised by some Conservative figures as former minister Jacob Rees-Mogg appealed to people to defy the calls of the government and "switch off the unnecessary and intrusive alert".

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"It is back to the nanny state -– warning us, telling us, mollycoddling us when instead they should just let people get on with their lives," he stated.

Government minister Michael Gove's former wife and Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine called the plans "terrifying".

"This Sunday, at 3 pm... the government intends to rattle our collective cages by invading our mobile phones -- and our privacy -- with its absurd emergency test signal. The notion is as terrifying as it is tiresome," Vine wrote.

"Terrifying because it's a reminder of the tyranny imposed on all of us by the technology that has invaded our homes like Japanese knotweed, infiltrating every aspect of our daily lives," the columnist added.

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(With inputs from agencies)

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The United Kingdom is set to conduct its first test of a new emergency alert service on Sunday as a loud alarm will ring from millions of mobile phones and the devices will vibrate at 3:00 pm (1400 GMT).

The United Kingdom is set to conduct its first test of a new emergency alert service on Sunday as a loud alarm will ring from millions of mobile phones and the devices will vibrate at 3:00 pm (1400 GMT). The national emergency system, which has been modelled based on similar schemes in the United States, the Netherlands, Canada and Japan, aims to warn the people if there is something nearby which can endanger their life but has received criticism over "nanny state" intrusion. "This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby,” the message will say. The government and emergency services hope to use the system for alerting people regarding issues like fire and severe flooding. ALSO READ | UK failing to protect workers from AI, warns trade union: Report The alarm, which will ring for 10 seconds, will emit a sound even if the mobile phones are on silent and is likely to disrupt sporting and entertainment events, including Premier League football matches. World Snooker Championship's organisers will put the play on pause just before the alert rings on the mobiles, while the members of the Society of London Theatre have been advised to ask audiences to switch off their phones. The drivers have received a warning against picking up their phones during the test, and people who are not willing to receive the alerts have the option to opt out of the settings of their devices. "Keep Calm and Carry On. That is the British way and it is exactly what the country will do when they receive this test alert at 3:00 pm today," Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said. "The government's number-one job is to keep people safe and this is another tool in the toolkit for emergency situations,” he added. 'Terrifying': Plan receives criticism from a section of society The plan was criticised by some Conservative figures as former minister Jacob Rees-Mogg appealed to people to defy the calls of the government and "switch off the unnecessary and intrusive alert". WATCH | UK: massive Royal income under lens, billions in income from duchies | World News | WION "It is back to the nanny state -– warning us, telling us, mollycoddling us when instead they should just let people get on with their lives," he stated. Government minister Michael Gove's former wife and Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine called the plans "terrifying". "This Sunday, at 3 pm... the government intends to rattle our collective cages by invading our mobile phones -- and our privacy -- with its absurd emergency test signal. The notion is as terrifying as it is tiresome," Vine wrote. "Terrifying because it's a reminder of the tyranny imposed on all of us by the technology that has invaded our homes like Japanese knotweed, infiltrating every aspect of our daily lives," the columnist added. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

UK to conduct first test of new emergency alert service on millions of mobile phones

All mobile phones across the United Kingdom (UK) will get a siren-like alert next month as the government tests a new public warning system. According to an official statement on Sunday (March 19), the "Emergency Alerts&nbsp;service is launched and is in operation from today, and the UK-wide alerts test will take place on the evening of April 23."

"The Emergency Alerts system will transform the UK’s warning and informing capability; providing a means to get urgent messages quickly to nearly 90 per cent of mobile phones in a defined area; providing clear instructions about how best to respond," the statement said.&nbsp;

It added the system is now ready to be tested across the country following successful tests in East Suffolk and Reading and will help authorities warn people about life-threatening events. The government added that the alerts will only come from government or emergency services and they will issue a warning, always including&nbsp;details of the area impacted, and provide instructions about how best to respond.&nbsp;

<h2>'Alerts to be used very rarely'</h2>

The government highlighted that these alerts will be used very rarely, only being sent where there is an immediate risk to people’s lives,&nbsp;so people may not receive an alert for months or even years.

"The service has already been used successfully in a number of other countries, including the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan, where it has been widely credited with saving lives, for example, during severe weather events. In the UK, alerts could be used to tell residents of villages being encroached by wildfires, or of severe flooding," the statement added.&nbsp;

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These alerts will be used across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and their initial use will focus on the most serious severe weather-related incidents. The government has been working closely with a range of stakeholders and partners across the UK on developing the system, including officials from emergency services, transport groups, and the Environment Agency.

These alerts will also be secure, free to receive, and one-way. They will not reveal anyone's location or collect personal information. They can only be sent by authorised governmental and emergency services users.&nbsp;

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, said that the Emergency Alerts system would revolutionise the government's ability to warn and inform people who are in immediate danger.&nbsp;

Mark Hardingham, the chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said, "Together with every fire and rescue service in the country, I’m looking forward to having Emergency Alerts available to help us to do our jobs and to help communities in the event of emergencies."

Meanwhile, Caroline Douglass, the executive Director for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said that the system is a fantastic addition to the agency's toolbox that can be used in emergencies.&nbsp;

"Being able to communicate warnings in a timely and accurate manner during incidents is really important to help people take action to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbours," Douglass said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
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All mobile phones across the United Kingdom (UK) will get a siren-like alert next month as the government tests a new public warning system. According to an official statement on Sunday (March 19), the "Emergency Alerts service is launched and is in operation from today, and the UK-wide alerts test will take place on the evening of April 23.

All mobile phones across the United Kingdom (UK) will get a siren-like alert next month as the government tests a new public warning system. According to an official statement on Sunday (March 19), the "Emergency Alerts service is launched and is in operation from today, and the UK-wide alerts test will take place on the evening of April 23." "The Emergency Alerts system will transform the UK’s warning and informing capability; providing a means to get urgent messages quickly to nearly 90 per cent of mobile phones in a defined area; providing clear instructions about how best to respond," the statement said. It added the system is now ready to be tested across the country following successful tests in East Suffolk and Reading and will help authorities warn people about life-threatening events. The government added that the alerts will only come from government or emergency services and they will issue a warning, always including details of the area impacted, and provide instructions about how best to respond. 'Alerts to be used very rarely' The government highlighted that these alerts will be used very rarely, only being sent where there is an immediate risk to people’s lives, so people may not receive an alert for months or even years. "The service has already been used successfully in a number of other countries, including the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan, where it has been widely credited with saving lives, for example, during severe weather events. In the UK, alerts could be used to tell residents of villages being encroached by wildfires, or of severe flooding," the statement added. ALSO READ | UK: Royal Mail ‘systemically failed’ to meet delivery requirement, say MPs These alerts will be used across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and their initial use will focus on the most serious severe weather-related incidents. The government has been working closely with a range of stakeholders and partners across the UK on developing the system, including officials from emergency services, transport groups, and the Environment Agency. These alerts will also be secure, free to receive, and one-way. They will not reveal anyone's location or collect personal information. They can only be sent by authorised governmental and emergency services users. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, said that the Emergency Alerts system would revolutionise the government's ability to warn and inform people who are in immediate danger. Mark Hardingham, the chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said, "Together with every fire and rescue service in the country, I’m looking forward to having Emergency Alerts available to help us to do our jobs and to help communities in the event of emergencies." Meanwhile, Caroline Douglass, the executive Director for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said that the system is a fantastic addition to the agency's toolbox that can be used in emergencies. "Being able to communicate warnings in a timely and accurate manner during incidents is really important to help people take action to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbours," Douglass said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK: All mobile phones to get siren-like alert next month as govt tests new public warning system

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UK to conduct first test of new emergency alert service on millions of mobile phones

UK: All mobile phones to get siren-like alert next month as govt tests new public warning system