Double summertime as clocks move forward an extra hour

The government is preparing to move clocks forward by an extra hour as part of the coalition’s tourist strategy

The government’s tourist strategy could mean clocks go forward an hour in the winter, and a further hour in the summer, resulting in lighter evenings but darker mornings.

Enthusiasts suggest the change could add millions to Britain’s tourism trade, while saving thousands of tones of greenhouse gas emissions as people turn their lights on later.

‘The tourism industry has been crying out for extra daylight saving for years,’ says Conservative MP Rebecca Harris. ‘It could extend the tourist season and boost the economy by up to £3.5billion a year. And we would have longer, lighter evenings.’

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents claims that an extra hour of daylight in the evenings would prevent 80 deaths and 200 serious injuries every year.

Tom Mullarkey, chief of RoSPA insists: ‘Changing the clocks would offer a unique opportunity to save lives, improve wellbeing and boost the economy.’

But opponents claim the dark mornings would make life more difficult for early risers such as farmers, and more dangerous for children traveling to school.

Let us know your thoughts on the proposed clock changes by posting a message in the box below.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE WORLD NEWS