Calling time on daylight saving: Lords Committee launches inquiry

If the European Commission's proposal is adopted and it has a deadline that falls within the period in which the UK is either still a Member State or in a transition period, the UK will also be required to end seasonal changes of time and choose between applying a permanent winter or summer time. If the UK is not required to do the same as the EU it will have to make a decision whether to follow its EU neighbours and prevent a seasonal time difference.

The Committee has issued a public call for evidence and urges interested individuals and organisations to submit evidence to the inquiry. The deadline for submissions is 30 August 2019.

Questions the Committee asks in its call for evidence include:

• What would be the implications of UK retaining seasonal changes of time while the EU did not? Would any sectors be particularly affected?
• What lessons can be learned from countries or states that maintain different seasonal clock change arrangements to their neighbours?
• What would be the implications of a time border on the island of Ireland, or between Northern Ireland and Great Britain?
• How should the Government approach the choice between permanent winter and summer time?
• Should the Government consult on the proposal? If so, how? How can the implications for different regions of the UK be captured?

View the full call for evidence.

Baroness Donaghy, chair of the House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee said:

“The European Commission has proposed to end seasonal changes of time in the EU. If adopted, this proposal will have consequences for the UK under any Brexit scenario. The House of Lords EU Internal Market Committee will explore what preparations the Government needs to make, and what factors should inform the UK's response.

"The Committee welcomes submissions to the inquiry, and urges organisations, businesses and individuals to take part."