Overview

This bill proposes a year-round change to the UK's clocks, advancing them by one hour. This is an experimental measure intended to create lighter evenings and potentially save energy, running for a trial period.

Description

The Energy Saving (Daylight) Bill aims to permanently adjust the UK's time by one hour, moving it forward relative to Greenwich Mean Time. This means that daylight hours would be shifted to later in the day.

Key Changes:

• Amendment to Summer Time Act 1972: Changes the current system of shifting the clocks by one hour in Summer to a shift of two hours instead.
• New Legislation: Creates a new law establishing the year-round time change and supersedes the Summer Time Act.
• Review Panel: Establishes a review panel to assess the impacts of the change on various areas like road accidents, energy consumption, and public health.
• Devolved Administrations: The bill makes provisions to ensure the changes apply across all parts of the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland), allowing each devolved administration some control over implementation dates.
• Experimental Period: The changes will be in effect from October 25th, 2009, to October 28th, 2012.

Government Spending

The bill anticipates government spending to cover the costs of the review panel, including member remuneration, expenses, and other administrative costs. Specific figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• The general public: Will experience a change in daily schedules and potentially altered sleep patterns.
• Businesses: Operating hours and related activities might need adjustments.
• Transportation sectors: Road safety and transport schedules may be impacted.
• Energy companies: May see shifts in energy demand.
• Healthcare sector: Potential effects on public health and related services could occur.
• The review panel members: Will be tasked with researching and reporting on the effects of the changes to time.

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