Should the UK scrap daylight savings? 45% of Brits say yes
With daylight savings on the horizon (remember to turn your clocks back an hour on Sunday 29 October!), there’s been a growing movement to scrap the clock change permanently.
In fact, a new survey from Bertinet Bakery has found that 45% of Brits would be in favour of ditching daylight savings time, compared to 24% of people who want it to stay.
It’s a similar finding to a 2019 YouGov study that found that 59% of Brits would prefer to remain on British Summer Time (BST) all year round.
Daylight savings was introduced in the UK in 1907 by William Willett as a way to conserve energy. However, there have been some studies that have shown that it can have detrimental health effects, which is why many are calling to abolish it.
What is daylight savings?
Daylight savings occurs twice a year: once in spring, around March, and once in autumn, in late October.
The spring daylight savings sees clocks go forward by one hour, while the autumn clock change sees time go back by an hour.
"Daylight savings ‘prolongs’ the day by taking an hour of daylight in the morning and adding it to later in the day," body clock expert at Circada, Sam Lewtas explains.
"The main reasons for this are longer and brighter evenings, for both social and work activities, and to align more closely with other economies."
What are the benefits and drawbacks of daylight savings?
Some of the main benefits of daylight savings include prolonged daylight hours in the summer months which results in longer, brighter evenings. As we move the clocks back an hour for winter, it also means we have lighter winter mornings.
"There is some evidence to suggest a small decrease in road traffic accidents in the beginning of daylight savings compared with the week preceding with a corresponding small spike in the autumn," Lewtas adds.
Other benefits of daylight savings include increased physical activity, increased social interaction, and a boost to the economy as shopping habits increase.
However, Lewtas warns that there are several drawbacks to daylight savings, including some consequences to our health.
"In addition to losing an hour of sleep in the spring, sleep and circadian rhythm experts have highlighted that we are basically forcing an hour of jetlag on everybody every day of the summer similar to when we travel east, with a shock to the system either side of the transition," Lewtas explains.
"This is because our bodies are actually more closely aligned with the timings of the sun, which does not really change when we move the clocks. The effects are measurable too, with an increase in cardiac events. For instance, in the days following the spring transition heart attacks increase by up to 30% with a similar picture for strokes. There is also evidence to suggest an impact on our mood in general and increased workplace accidents resulting from daylight savings."
What do people want to get rid of daylight savings?
The documented health risks are one of the main reasons why people want to see the end of daylight savings, psychologist Barbara Santini says.
"Health risks combined with the diminished energy savings in our contemporary, technologically advanced society, have fuelled calls to abolish DST," Santini explains.
"Proponents of this movement argue for a more stable, consistent approach to timekeeping, which aligns more closely with our natural biological rhythms."
What could happen if we get rid of daylight savings?
Santini says that we could potentially see improvements in public health and eradicate the biannual disruption to our circadian rhythms by ditching daylight savings.
"However, this transition would not be without its challenges, as societies would need to adapt to shorter daylight hours in the evening during the winter months, which could have implications for energy consumption, road safety, and economic activities," she adds.
"Daylight Saving Time is a practice steeped in historical significance, implemented with the best of intentions. However, as we navigate the complexities of our modern world, it is imperative that we critically evaluate its continued relevance and impact on our well-being. By striking a balance that prioritises human health while considering the economic and safety implications, we can forge a path towards a more sustainable and health-conscious society."
Daylight savings: Read more
Clocks go back: Child sleep expert on how to get an extra hour in bed if you have kids (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read)
What happens to your body when daylight saving time ends? Experts explain (Yahoo Life, 4-min read)
Is Daylight Saving Time Ending in 2023? What to Know About Turning Back Your Clocks This Year (Country Living, 3-min read)
