Everyone in the UK with a mobile phone is set to receive an emergency alert notification as part of a nationwide test this month.
The Government has today confirmed the date and time that the test alert will be issued.
Following what the Government has called “successful pilots” in East Suffolk and Reading, it has now been confirmed that the test of the new “lifesaving” Emergency Alerts system will take place at 3pm on Sunday 23 April.
Those with a 4G and 5G compatible mobile phone will receive a message on the home screen of their mobile phone, along with a sound and vibration for up to 10 seconds.
As this is only a test, and as the alert will state, the public does not need to take any action when they receive the message, as the sound and vibration will stop automatically stop, so all you’ll need to do is swipe away the message.
ADVERTISEMENT
You can also click ‘OK’ on your phone’s home scree, just like you would for a ‘low battery’ warning or any normal notification, and then continue to use your phone as usual.
The new Emergency Alerts system will be tested on April 23.
The system will warn people when their lives are in danger. An Emergency Alert is a loud, siren-like sound with a message on your mobile phone screen.
Emergency Alerts have already been used successfully in a number of other countries, including the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan, and the UK Government claims the system has been widely-credited with saving lives.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the UK, alerts could be used to tell residents of villages being encroached by wildfires, or of severe flooding.
The Government says it has worked together with the emergency services and partners – including the Football Association (FA) and London Marathon – to make sure the national test has “a minimum impact” on the several major sporting events taking place on the day.
Cabinet Minister Oliver Dowden is urging the British public to “put the date in your diaries”.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Getting this system operational with the national test means we have another tool in our toolkit to keep the public safe in life-threatening emergencies,” he added.
“It could be the sound that saves your life.”
Everyone in the UK will get a ‘test’ emergency alert on their phone on this day / Credit: GOV.UK
Emergency Alerts will “transform the UK’s warning and informing capability”, according to the Government.
This is because they will work with mobile broadcasting technology to provide a way of getting urgent messages quickly to nearly 90% of mobile phones in a defined area when there is a risk to life, and will then provide clear instructions about how best to respond.
The best practice of Emergency Alerts in other countries have shown that they work more effectively in a real emergency if people have previously received a test.
ADVERTISEMENT
This is so they know what an alert looks and sounds like.
According to the Government, the Emergency Alert system will be used very rarely here in the UK, and will only being sent where there is an immediate risk to people’s lives.
This means we may not receive an alert for months, or even years.
Transformational plans set to be approved for ‘major’ new Manchester city centre park
Emily Sergeant
‘Transformational’ plans to regenerate an underused Manchester city centre site are set to be approved next week.
Following ‘overwhelming’ public support for proposals set out in a public consultation earlier this year – where more than 90% of respondents supported the key principles – Manchester City Council says its executive is expected approve an ambitious vision for the Water Street neighbourhood at a meeting next week (Weds 8 July).
The Water Street Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) is set to create a city centre district developed around a new urban park.
The SRF is described as being a ‘high-level blueprint’ for future investment that will guide development through the planning process.
The plans are comprised of a new landscape-led neighbourhood that combines homes – including 20% of them being ‘affordable’ – improved public spaces, enhanced walking and cycling connections, and ‘significant’ new green infrastructure centred around the River Medlock.
Sustainability was highlighted as an area of importance to local residents in the consultation, and to meet these demands, the plans include increased biodiversity, sustainable drainage features, and a largely car-free neighbourhood to support Manchester’s zero-carbon ambitions, as well as the new urban park being at the heart of it all.
The new neighbourhood will also offer plenty of new jobs, skills, and investment opportunities.
“The wider Water Street area has seen major regeneration in recent years with world-class investment at St John’s and Aviva Studios on its doorstep, alongside impressive residential developments,” explained Cllr Gavin White, who is Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration.
“This renewed regeneration framework will help guide investment to bring this area up to the same ambitious level with new housing, including affordable housing to create an inclusive new neighbourhood, complemented by a brand-new city centre urban park.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council (Supplied)
News
Shoppers warned of huge queues as £6.2m P.Louise beauty megastore opens at Trafford Palazzo
Daisy Jackson
The P.Louise City megastore will open its doors in Manchester this weekend, and shoppers are already being warned that it will be BUSY.
The cult beauty brand launches its world-first immersive makeup destination on Sunday 5 July at the Trafford Palazzo.
Founder Paige Williams has set out to create a retail space that mimics the childlike wonder you feel when stepping into a Disney park.
Expect elaborate pink zones like a P.Louise City supermarket, a girly tiled bathroom, a hair salon, a pharmacy, and even a cinema.
Shoppers will be able to visit a petrol station where you can make a beauty driving licence and pose with petrol pumps, a florist where you can design your own scented body mist, and a bank vault with giant golden keys hanging from the ceiling, where top members can unlock exclusive gold Bad Bitch Energy lip kits.
There’s an entire section of the store dedicated to those hit Bad Bitch Energy lip kits, with shelves and shelves of flavours and scents, and the chance to make your own custom lip oil complete with charms.
As you get lost in the huge 19,000 sq ft space, there are cult products to discover in every corner like foaming cleansers, Juicy Drip lip care sets, setting powders and liquid blushes.
The entire P.Louise City shop is decorated with details like flower-filled phone boxes, giant bubbles, heart-shaped traffic lights, mirrored benches, and postboxes, all in dizzying shades of pink and gold.
P.Louise founder Paige Williams in P.Louise CityIt’s a 19,000 sq ft, two-storey megastoreThe P.Louise cinemaPhoto opportunities like a skate rampThe P.Louise florist, where you can customise a body mistInside the ‘pharmacy’The P.Louise petrol stationA bank vault at P.Louise CityTop members can unlock a gold Bad Bitch Energy lip kitThe girls’ bathroom at P.Louise CityThe P.Louise City salonThere’s even a supermarket inside
Going well beyond retail, P.Louise City has bookable VIP party rooms, a cafe serving coffees, ear piercing, and photo opportunities like a skate ramp, as well as a packed programme of events and masterclasses.
Founder Paige said she wanted to create a space so over-the-top, other-worldly and glamorous, it feels like it’s been created by AI.
Signs are now up around the Trafford Centre and Trafford Palazzo ahead of the P.Louise launch predicting large queues, with extra crowd management measures in place.
The first 250 customers through the door who spend £20 or more will receive an exclusive gift box, and queues will open from 6am.
If you’re planning to brave the crowds, you can see all the launch day info you need HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
6th April 2023 
