Clock generic

Clock generic

The clocks have gone back for what could be the last time - but only if the Scots agree.

British Summer Time ended at 2am, but if a new Daylight Saving Bill which has received ministerial backing goes ahead it could bring the UK into line with Central European Time (CET) for a trial period of three years.

The bill, tabled by Rebecca Harris, Conservative MP for Castle Point in Essex, calls for a review of the potential costs and benefits of a move to CET and would need further legislation before any trial was launched.

Any "clear opposition" from devolved authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would see the plans dropped.

Moving to CET would mean lighter winter evenings, which supporters claim would cut road deaths, boost tourism and reduce energy use.

But any change is likely to face opposition from many in Scotland who do not relish the prospect of an extra hour of darkness in the morning.

Individuals, organisations and businesses have been debating the effects of bringing the clocks back.

Speaking during a visit to Australia, Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "interested" in the issue, but believes it can only be changed if all parts of the UK agree.

He said: "Discussions are under way across Whitehall and with the devolved authorities but that's the key - you can only do this if there is real national consensus and pressure between all the nations of our United Kingdom."

SNP MP Angus MacNeil dismissed the plans to stop the clocks from going back, arguing the move would hit everyone living north of Manchester.

He said: "It is no secret that Tories in the south want to leave Scotland in darkness, but fixing the clocks to British Summer Time would mean that dawn wouldn't break in Scotland until nearly 9am.

"That would have massive implications for the safety and wellbeing of everyone living north of Manchester."

According to the Rainbow Trust children's charity, three in five Britons will use the extra hour they gain this weekend to sleep, with just 1% of people stating they would do something for charity with it.

The RAC said that when the clocks go back this weekend it expects a 20% increase in flat battery call-outs due to vehicle lights being left on.

Kevin Andrews, RAC Patrol ambassador of the year, said: "We always see an increase in these types of incidents from now on as the days get shorter and the weather gets worse.

"We rely on our headlights a lot more in the dark winter months. But don't forget to turn them off."

And animals' behaviour will change for the worse when the clocks go back, according to new research by The Co-operative Pet Insurance.

Lee Mooney, head of pet insurance at The Co-operative, said: "The research shows that pets, like humans, are affected by changes of the seasons and that the turning back of the clocks to represent British Winter Time can exacerbate this."

Debating the effects of turning the clocks back has been a British pastime since at least 1908, when the first Daylight Saving Bill was brought before the House of Commons.

During the Second World War the Government moved the clocks forward one hour to help munitions factories maximise productivity and allow people to get home safely before the blackout.

Between 1968 and 1971 the Government carried out the same experiment but was forced to end it after complaints in Scotland and northern England.