The House of Lords is continuing its inquiry on the European Commission’s proposal to end seasonal changes of time in the EU, taking evidence on what it could mean for the UK – including for road safety.

The UK could move to British Summer Time permanently

The proposal – adopted on 12 September 2018 and backed by the European Parliament in March 2019 – plans to stop clock changes in 2021, and this summer saw the House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee – which has previously questioned the proposal – issue a public call for evidence that will look into the implications of the UK retaining clock changes.

The inquiry’s second session takes place tomorrow, 17 October, and will focus on the impact any change would have on areas including road safety.

Individuals giving evidence include Nick Lloyd, head of road safety at RoSPA, which has already called on the UK to permanently adopt British Summer Time as it highlights the marked spike in the number of vulnerable road users killed and seriously injured every autumn when the clocks go back.

The inquiry will also factor in Brexit and whether the Government should still abolish clock changes in line with its EU neighbours if it’s no longer bound by EU law when the proposal is agreed.