Clocks go back: Professor claims scrapping the change 'could save money on energy bills'

Clocks will go back in the UK by one hour at 2am on Sunday, October 30.

It is claimed if the clock change was scrapped, people could save £1.20 a day or up to £400 a year.

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A professor from Queen’s University Belfast said there are savings to be made if the Daylight Saving Time change was abandoned.

It has long been debated whether the clocks should still be changed in autumn.

Professor Aoife Foley, from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s University, said the demand for electricity would be reduced at peak hours, easing pressure on the national grid.

She said: “By simply foregoing the winter Daylight Saving Time (DST) in October, we save energy because it is brighter in the evening during winter, so we reduce commercial and residential electrical demand as people leave work earlier, and go home earlier, meaning less lighting and heating is needed.

“We are no longer in an energy crisis in Europe but an energy war and, dependent on weather conditions this winter, it is very likely we may need to start rationing energy very seriously to avoid bigger energy issues in December and January when gas reserves start to run low.

“There is no doubt that by foregoing the daylight savings in winter we would save a lot of energy, reduce our bills and carbon emissions during this energy war, and especially during a cost-of-living crisis.”

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Opponents of scrapping the clock change say there would be more road traffic collisions.

The professor, however, said: “Most road collisions occur in good visibility during the day and outside of built-up areas.

 “It would be great if the UK Government consulted with the Irish Government on an emergency proposal to abolish daylight savings this year.”