The British Sleep Society (BSS) has called for the abolition of biannual clock changes in the UK and the restoration of permanent standard time (Greenwich Mean Time or GMT).

The recommendation is based on scientific evidence highlighting the detrimental effects of clock changing and Daylight Saving Time (DST) on sleep and circadian health.

The BSS emphasizes that sleep is essential to health and well-being and that forced time changes to Daylight Saving Time can negatively interfere with sleep regulation.

The call is made in a position statement published in the Journal of Sleep Research. It is co-authored by researchers from the Universities of Strathclyde, Surrey, Edinburgh, Warwick and Lincoln, Imperial College London, King’s College London and the University of Northumbria.

The BSS is a professional organization dedicated to the study of sleep and its disorders. The Society aims to promote understanding and awareness of sleep health and to support research and education in the field of sleep medicine.

Dr Megan Crawford, from the Strathclyde Center for Sleep Health, first author of the paper, said: “Discussions around abolishing the six-monthly clock change continue to emerge; alarmingly, some want to replace it with year-round daylight saving time.

“Other sleep societies have come out against this proposal and against returning to standard time all year round, but there is currently no published outlook in the UK. The unique location and orientation of our British landmass must be taken into account, as permanent daylight saving time would disproportionately disadvantage people to the west and north of London.

Co-author Dr Eva Winnebeck, from the University of Surrey, said: “What we often don’t realize is that daylight saving changes our schedules, moving them forward by an hour while daylight remains the same.

“Daylight saving time forces us all to get up and go to work or school an hour earlier. In seasons with fewer daylight hours, as is currently the case in autumn, this means that most of us must get up and move around in the dark.

The BSS states that natural morning light is crucial for maintaining optimal alignment of our body clock with day and night, which is essential for optimal sleep and overall health.

Some even advocate switching to year-round daylight saving time, but we consider this a bad idea.

Professor Malcolm von Schantz, co-author, Northumbria University

Natural light

“Morning is the time when our body clock needs light the most to stay in sync. In our latitudes there is simply no daylight to conserve during the winter months and given the choice between natural morning light and natural afternoon light, the scientific evidence favors morning light.

The position paper highlights the potential risks of moving to permanent daylight saving time, including depriving the UK population of essential morning light, particularly during the winter months. This lack of morning light could lead to significant disruptions to sleep patterns and circadian rhythms, with potential long-term health consequences.

The BSS recommendation for a permanent standard hour is supported by several organisations, including the Irish Sleep Society, the British Pediatric Sleep Society, Capella (Sleep Action), The Sleep Charity and the British Society of Pharmacy Sleep Services. The Society is urging policymakers to consider the health and wellbeing of the UK population and engage in discussions with the Republic of Ireland to avoid a time zone border across the island.