An emergency communication tool dubbed the 'armageddon alert' system will reportedly be rolled out in the next few weeks. Millions of people will hear a loud alarm from their mobile phones as the system is tested, the Mirror reports.
The system is designed to warn people if there is a 'danger to life' nearby. It’s understood the imminent national testing will focus on flooding and extreme weather-related events.
The Government’s National Resilience Framework, published in December, said the system would be launched nationwide in 'early 2023' but so far only local testing has been completed.
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Tests were carried out in Reading in 2021. One local wrote on BerkshireLive’s Facebook Page of the loud alert: “I nearly wet myself!” Another commenter said it 'scared the life out of me'.
Labour accused the Government of failing to roll out the system in a timely manner. Fleur Anderson, Labour’s Shadow Paymaster General, said: "While Britain faces increasing global threats, not least from Putin’s Russia, this saga has dragged on far too long and left our country lagging far behind on keeping the public safe.
"While the Tories have been caught asleep at the wheel, Labour has a plan for a more resilient Britain to ensure government is alert to the threats our country faces."
A Government spokesperson said: "Emergency Alerts will be a vital tool in helping us better respond to emergencies, both nationally and locally. We have worked closely with the emergency services to develop this and carried out extensive trials ahead of its national rollout. We expect to update shortly."
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