More people call time on clock switch plan

The number of people opposed to single dounble summertime (SDST) has fallen by 17% over the past six months, according to new research. SDST proposes moving the clocks forward by […]

The number of people opposed to single dounble summertime (SDST) has fallen by 17% over the past six months, according to new research.

SDST proposes moving the clocks forward by one hour throughout the year to Greenwich Mean Time+1 in winter and GMT+2 in the summer. This is compared to the current hours of GMT during winter, and GMT+1 in summer.

In research conducted by npower hometeam in October 2010 and again this month, numbers of those against the initiative has dropped dramatically from 44% to 27%.

Of the 35% in favour, 47% cite the promise of longer, lighter evenings as the reason for their opinion, followed by lower electric bills (27%), more outdoor events (26%), the boost to overall health (20%) and the reduction of road accidents (14%). 38% remain undecided.

Support for the initiative was highest in the East Midlands, with 42% of the population in favour, closely followed by both Northern Ireland and Wales (39%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (36%).

npower hometeam’s Emily Stagg said: “It’s interesting to note the significant shift in opinion since our last research before the clocks went back. This could very well be attributed to Brits enduring five months of dark mornings and evenings and longing for the return of British summertime this week.

“One of the main reasons for the fall in opposition is the promise of lower electric bills. However, even with the Daylight Savings Bill going through Parliament at the moment, it may still be some time before single double summer time becomes legislation.”

Latest Podcast