Emergency Alert Service

Debate between Lord Hogan-Howe and Baroness Twycross

Thursday 5th September 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

Fujitsu does have a role in the development of the UK’s emergency alert system and continues to play a small role in system maintenance. The maintenance contract is scheduled for renewal in October 2025, with the commercial process beginning in the summer of next year. At the time of retender, any potential supplier would need to bid via the Government’s procurement protocols.

[Lord Hogan-Howe (CB)]

My Lords, I think that the noble Lord, Lord Harris, should be commended on his promotion of this system and on making sure that it has been pursued by various Governments. I was disappointed to hear the response that the system is not to be tested regularly and frequently, not least for the reason he gave, which is that people may not understand what these texts are about. There are more likely, frankly, to believe they are being defrauded than they are being provided with genuine information by the state in the middle of an emergency. Are the Government prepared to reconsider the frequency of that testing, to make sure that people are included and understand what the system is about?