Daylight Savings Bill

I have recently been contacted by some constituents regarding the Daylight Savings Bill which reached report stage in the House on Friday 20 January.

I am aware that this is a controversial debate with strong feelings across all political parties and has been an issue which has come to Parliament on numerous occasions in previous years.

I do not disagree with the principle of this bill. I know that many organisations, such as Lighter Later campaign, have highlighted the benefits that a change in the clocks could bring. These included a reduction in carbon emissions and fewer road accidents. However, I am also aware that there are important concerns about the potential impact of changing daylight hours, particularly in the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

I am open-minded about this proposal but I think it is vital that any changes to UK daylight hours are based on clear evidence and take account of different nations and regions across the UK. I was pleased, therefore, that the Daylight Savings Bill which was before Parliament included measures to create an Independent Oversight Group to advise the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the production of a report to consider the costs and benefits of advancing UK time by one hour.

I was particularly pleased that the bill would have ensured full consultation with the devolved administrations and that Parliament would have to be consulted prior to the introduction of any clock change trial period following the report's publication.

Unfortunately at report stage the bill was “talked out” which means that opponents spoke at length so that the bill ran out of parliamentary time. Under parliamentary procedure the bill will not progress further in this session but I am confident that this issue will return in future parliamentary sessions.