It’s that time of year again, when the clocks go back by one hour, tomorrow morning at 2am. But like the majority of us, you will probably change the clock tonight, before you go to bed. Many people working in commercial properties will be happy on Sunday as they get to enjoy a mini lye in. But do we still need to change the clocks back and forth twice a year? Or is there another way?
The Government are considering a three year trial of moving the clocks forward, which would see the UK more inline with the Central European Time zone. The idea came from the ‘Daylight Savings Private Members Bill’, which looks into the benefits and financial implications of altering the clocks every year. If the plan is implemented, it will be called the ‘Daylight Saving Act 2011’, and would mean that the clocks would not be altered during autumn, meaning British Summer Time (BST) would carry on all the way through the winter months.
Speaking of the bill, Rebecca Harris, Conservative MP, expressed: “It’s entirely to find out whether we are currently setting our clocks in this country to the best time zone for the way we live our lives now.”
So what would we gain from the new time zone?
Moving the time will give the UK approximately 235 hours of extra daylight after working hours. The Government believes that, with more light in the evening, leisure commercial properties will benefit as people can engage more in sporting activities. People will also reduce their electricity bill as you will not need to turn the lights on as early. Ms Harris put across: “Moving an extra hour of daylight from the morning when a lot of us waste it in bed to the evening when we can actually get out and enjoy it and do things after school and work.”
There are also health benefits from moving the time, as many people have more difficulty waking up when it is dark, as Professor Jim Horne from Loughborough University’s Sleep Research Centre, expressed: “Biologically we’re designed to wake up with the sunrise. If we do, it resets the body clock, makes us more alert and happier. It’s more of a struggle to wake up if it’s dark. That has psychological implications, we are more gloomy.”
What about Scotland?
However, although people in England and Wales may benefit from the time change, people in Scotland would suffer, as in certain areas would be left with no daylight until 10am. Regarding the proposition, the Scottish Government spokesperson, declared: “We welcome the UK government’s commitment to consult devolved administrations formally and to introduce changes only if consensus emerges from that process. The Scottish Government’s established position is that there is no case for a change to existing arrangements.”
Ed Davey, Business Minister, agrees that everyone must benefit if there is to be a change: “This is an issue which affects everyone across the country so we cannot rush head first into this. It is only right that we at least look at what the potential economic and social benefits of any change might be.”
The current time zone dates back to the war years, when clocks were moved forward by an hour to get the most out of weapon workers in commercial properties. It would also guarantee that they could get home safely after their shift, before the blackout was enforced. However, with no war in the UK for over 66 years, surely it is now time for a change.
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