When do the clocks change and why?
CLOCKS across the UK change twice a year – either going an hour forward or an hour back. But here’s when this happens and why. When do the clocks change? Every year, our clocks go forward an hour on the last Sunday of March. This change marks the start of British Summer Time (BST), meaning […]
CLOCKS across the UK change twice a year – either going an hour forward or an hour back.
But here’s when this happens and why.
When do the clocks change?
Every year, our clocks go forward an hour on the last Sunday of March.
This change marks the start of British Summer Time (BST), meaning we gain an extra hour of daylight in the evenings.
However, it also means losing an hour of precious sleep on the night of the change.
Later in the year, typically in late October, the clocks revert back to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), with an hour more daylight in the morning.
Although this change may sound confusing, there’s a handy phrase to remind you – “spring forwards, fall back”.
But don’t worry if you still forget – most smartphones update the time automatically.
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Why do the clocks change?
We change our clocks to make better use of the daylight.
Also referred to as Daylight Savings, the idea of changing the clocks was first suggested by the US Founding father Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century.
The concept was then picked up by New Zealand entomologist George Hudson in 1895, who wanted more time to go bug hunting in summer.
In the UK, the idea of “saving” daylight was introduced in Parliament by William Willett (who happens to be the great-great grandfather of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin).
It was supported by Winston Churchill and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and finally adopted in 1916 – though sadly Willett died the year before, so never got to see it in action.
Around the world, approximately 70 countries use the Daylight Saving Time, but the number has gone down by half from 140 in the past.
Most European countries, as well as the US, followed suit, aiming to save energy during World War I.
On March 27, 2019, the European parliament voted to scrap the twice-yearly custom of changing the clocks.
That meant that, from 2021, most member states had to choose to stay on either permanent summer or winter time.
In the US, there are two states that don’t observe DST – Arizona and Hawaii.
What would happen if the clocks didn’t change?
Abolition of clock changes and adoption of a permanent time zone would have significant consequences for a number of industries, including agriculture and aviation.
But on a more personal basis, everyone’s daily lives will be affected – it will get darker earlier in summer, so you’ll be missing out on those long summer evenings.
And if the time was permanently shifted to British Summer Time, then early mornings in winter will be even harder, as it will remain dark for longer.
But when faced with a choice, most Brits (59%), indicated they would prefer to stay on permanent summer time if we stopped changing the clocks, according to a YouGov poll from 2019.
The issue was debated in parliament, with the government concluding there is still no need to abolish the practice.
“Although there is significant strength of public feeling in favour of abolishing seasonal changes of time, there is little evidence that doing so would lead to a material improvement over the status quo.”