As the UK prepares to put the clocks back this weekend, a Labour MP has called for a new approach to time proposing a shift to Double British Summer Time, dubbed “Churchill Time.”
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions this week (Wednesday 22 October), Alex Mayer MP suggested trialling the move to shift more daylight hours into the evening. This would mean GMT+1 in the winter and GMT+2 in the summer.
This would mirror the changes introduced during World War Two, when Winston Churchill changed the clocks to reduce energy use and increase “the opportunities for the pursuit of health and happiness.”
Responding to Ms Mayer the Prime Minister pledged to “look at the relevant material.”
The campaign has drawn support from a wide range of organisations, from tourism and hospitality to road safety and family groups. They gathered in Westminster today to discuss the potential benefits of shifting Britain’s time zone with MPs and peers across the politician spectrum.
Environmental studies suggest the change could save around 447,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year: equivalent to 50,000 cars driving around the world. The Road Safety Foundation estimates it could prevent 40 deaths and more than 100 serious injuries annually, as more journeys would take place in daylight. Meanwhile, the hospitality and tourism sectors say extended usable daylight could increase visitor numbers and boost local economies.
Alex Mayer MP said: “When Britain faced peril during World War II, Winston Churchill took a radical decision to change our clocks. Today we face different urgent challenges, but ones where the same prescription could really help. It’s time to stop wasting daylight. Churchill Time is good for the environment cutting carbon and energy bills. We would have safer roads and boost the tourism and hospitality sector. And it’s free! Churchill Time is an idea whose time has come again.”
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, commented: “Extended daylight in the evenings could be a significant boost for the UK’s night-time economy. Longer, lighter evenings encourage people to go out, spend, and enjoy cultural, hospitality, and entertainment venues safely. We welcome any discussion on changes that could support businesses, create jobs, and make our towns and cities more vibrant after dark.”
While Duncan Peake, CEO of Raby Estates, added: “Raby Estates operates landmark visitor attractions alongside our agriculture, property, leisure, and hospitality, forestry and habitat management work. There are strong reasons to look again at changing daylight-saving time in the UK, and we’re pleased to support this campaign. Adopting Churchill Time could strengthen the visitor economy, create new employment opportunities, and help deliver real benefits for local communities right across County Durham, Shropshire, and the wider UK.”
Brian Lawton, road safety and risk management expert at the Road Safety Foundation, concluded: “Churchill Time would be desirable from a road safety perspective. Having an extra hour of daylight in the afternoon and evening could prevent around 40 deaths and more than 100 serious injuries on Britain’s roads every year, as more journeys would take place in daylight. What’s not to like about that?”
MP backs “Churchill Time” ahead of clock change
