Britain 'could be banned by EU from changing clocks in spring and autumn'

Katy Clifton22 October 2018

The UK could be forced to stop changing the clocks in spring and autumn by the European Union after Brexit, a Lords committee has today warned.

The European Commission has proposed an end to seasonal clock changes in 2019, with members required to choose between “permanent summer-time” or “permanent winter time”.

In a report published on Monday, the Lords EU internal market committee warned that, should the UK and the EU reach a deal to the terms of the draft Withdrawal Agreement, the UK would be required to implement the plans during the transition period.

It is being proposed due to concerns about daylight saving time disrupting sleep patterns and suggestions that is it damaging people’s health, the Telegraph reports.

Plans to axe the changing of the clocks have proved controversial in the past, with proposals previously being put aside after being considered by David Cameron’s government seven years ago.

However, the Lords EU internal market committee has now brought the proposals back into the limelight as it suggested the UK may have to ditch changing the clocks due to Brexit.

The European Commission are recommending EU member states abolish daylight saving time
AFP/Getty Images

Speaking out against the proposals in a critical report, the committee suggested the European Commission gave “inadequate consideration of how the role of summertime arrangements varies between member states".

The geographical position of the UK means the benefits and drawbacks of a permanent summer-time or permanent winter-time differ between its northern and southern regions, it said.

The committee also warned that the European Commission had given “inadequate evaluation of alternative options”, such as allowing member states to make their own decision.

"Increased questioning” of the current summertime arrangements is cited as a reason for action by the European Commission, something the Lords committee disputed.

“We do not accept that there is substantial evidence of this,” the report states.

“The 4.6 million respondents to the Commission’s consultation exercise represented less than 1% of all EU citizens, and response rates varied drastically between member states.

“This is evident in the fact that 84.6% of replies came from only three Member States, including 70% from Germany."

People's Vote protesters march on Parliament Square - in Pictures

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It concluded: “We recommend that the House of Lords should issue the reasoned opinion concluding that the European Commission’s proposal does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity.”

Chair of the EU internal market sub-committee Lord Whitty, said: "The European Commission's proposal to end seasonal time changes goes beyond its remit and is not in compliance with the principle of subsidiarity.

“We are therefore recommending that the House of Lords issues a reasoned opinion. The report will be debated on Wednesday."

The report comes five days before the UK will change its clocks back. They are changed in March and put back in October in a bid to prevent disruption to trade and travel.

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