The clocks go forward at 1am on Sunday, March 30, 2025, marking the beginning of British Summer Time (BST). This transition signals the end of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and promises longer, lighter evenings starting next week. While many anticipate the benefits of extended daylight, the switch also stirs ongoing debates about the positive and negative impacts of daylight saving time (DST) on health and daily life.
Daylight saving time, also known as British Summer Time, lasts until the final Sunday in October, when the clocks revert back an hour. This year, the end of BST will fall on October 26, 2025. With the onset of BST, parts of the UK will enjoy almost 19 hours of daylight by the summer solstice on June 21, 2025, a welcome change for sun-seekers.
Historically, GMT was the default legal time in Britain before the introduction of DST in 1880. The practice of adjusting clocks was first proposed by British inventor William Willett in 1907. Willett published a pamphlet titled "The Waste Of Daylight," expressing his frustration at the lack of daylight utilization during summer. His initial proposal suggested a gradual 80-minute shift in April, reversing the process in September. Although Willett passed away before his idea was implemented, his great-great-grandson, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, has experienced the effects of DST firsthand.
Germany was the first country to adopt DST during World War I in 1916, aimed at conserving energy. The UK followed suit shortly after, joining other nations in this time-altering initiative. However, contrary to popular belief, DST was not designed to benefit farmers, who were never consulted about the change. In fact, some dairy farmers have reported that the clock change disrupts their routines, causing distress among their livestock.
Dr. Jeffrey Kelu, a circadian rhythms expert at King’s College London, highlights both the advantages and disadvantages of the time shift. On the positive side, Dr. Kelu notes that DST may contribute to reduced crime rates, as more people are outdoors during the lighter evenings, making it harder for crimes to be committed. Additionally, he points out that traffic accidents tend to decrease due to improved visibility. "I think there are some suggestions that there is less crime because more people are out there in the evening and it is harder to commit crimes," Dr. Kelu explained. "Also, there are fewer traffic accidents because there is more light and people can see the traffic conditions more clearly. But there are conflicting studies."
However, the negative aspects of DST cannot be overlooked. Dr. Kelu warns that the abrupt shift can disrupt our circadian rhythms, leading to potential health issues. "The circadian clock regulates our physiology and metabolism, and we know that extreme cases such as shift working, causing circadian misalignment, will lead to increased risk in metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes," he said. He continued, "The most acute effect would be the loss of an hour of sleep and also the inability to adapt to the new working schedule. So the scientists and communities, as well as the sleep experts, actually suggest removing daylight savings as a whole."
In preparation for the upcoming clock change, Dr. Kelu recommends gradually adjusting sleep schedules in the days leading up to DST. "Because we cannot change the daylight saving time now, the thing is we can slowly prepare for it even though there’s not many days left. But we can slowly adjust to it by changing your clocks, for example, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, until the hour changes," he advised.
Public sentiment regarding DST is shifting. A recent YouGov poll conducted in October revealed that if the current system were scrapped, 59% of Britons would prefer to remain on BST permanently. This growing discontent has prompted discussions among lawmakers. Alex Mayer, Labour MP for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, has called for a major overhaul of time management in the UK. She suggested a return to “Churchill Time,” a system used during World War II where clocks moved an hour ahead in winter and two hours ahead in spring and summer. Mayer argues that this approach could save the country an estimated £485 million in yearly electricity bills and reduce carbon emissions by over 400,000 tonnes.
Despite these discussions, Dr. Kelu notes that the UK Government has not seriously considered abolishing DST. However, debates are ongoing within the European Union, and discussions in the United States have also gained momentum. US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his desire to eliminate DST, with his Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeling the practice as "stupid."
As the clocks move forward, many will relish the longer evenings, but the debate surrounding the health impacts and practicality of daylight saving time continues. The question remains: should we stick with the current system or consider a permanent time change? Only time will tell.
