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When will the clocks go back and why are they changing? | UK News

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When will the clocks go back and why are they changing? | UK News


Row of several white clocks with black hands on a yellow and blue background with a floral pattern
Your body clock will need to be adjusted as well as your devices (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The days are getting shorter and British Summer Time (BST) will soon feature good old Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

you will get an extra hour in bed As a result of the clocks being turned back this weekend, however, there will be a noticeable change in sunrise and sunset times.

Many people say it affects their mood – hello Seasonal Depression This adds to the debate about whether this cut is worthwhile.

When will the clocks go back in 2024?

The next hours change that Sunday, October 27when they went back an hour at 2 a.m.

So make sure you set your clock in advance or have a device that changes automatically when you go to bed tonight.

You can also expect to sleep an extra hour if your body allows it, or wake up an hour earlier if your body clock is particularly strong.

Clocks will go forward again at 01:00 on Sunday, March 30, 2025.


Rear view of man repairing blue clock against a white wall
Turning the clocks back an hour in autumn means we get more sunlight in the mornings (Image: Isabel Pavia/Getty Images)

Does this mean the morning is lighter or darker?

When the clocks go back, daylight saving time will also end.

This means that the sun rises an hour earlier than the previous day, and sunset in the evening will come an hour earlier.

Why do we change the clocks?

Turning the clocks back allows us to have the same amount of sunlight in the morning as in the evening.

This idea was first seriously proposed in the 1890s by British-born New Zealand scientist George Vernon Hudson. Hudson’s passion for collecting bugs after work inspired him to propose daylight saving time.

He proposed a two-hour shift to his government, but the offer was rejected.

The idea was developed in the United Kingdom by businessman William Willett (his great-great grandson is Chris Martin of Coldplay) began to support this idea from 1907.

He was inspired by the sight of houses with closed shutters on sunny mornings near his home in Kent and realized that people were ‘wasting’ daylight.

His proposal was supported by two MPs, including a young Winston Churchill, but nothing was done until after the First World War.


Man setting the time on a watch with a brown strap
Edwardian builder William Willet suggested moving the clocks forward in spring and back in winter (Image: Rebecca Bundschuh/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The turning point came in the spring of 1916 when Germany moved the clocks forward to save energy; this allowed both soldiers and civilians to use resources such as coal less.

Shortly afterwards, Parliament passed Britain’s Summer Time Act of 1916, which set the clocks back in the autumn and forward again in the spring.

Which countries are changing their clocks?

Changing clocks isn’t just a UK thing; More than 70 countries around the world do this.

Most European countries observe European daylight saving time (Daylight Saving Time); It changes its hours at the end of March and at the end of October.

The only European countries that do not do this are Iceland, Türkiye, Belarus and Russia. Nearby Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are not in the same situation.

Meanwhile, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand observe Daylight Saving Time. Mexico voted by majority to stop using DST in March 2023.

While most Asian countries, including India, Japan, China and Mongolia, choose not to use Daylight Savings Time, many Middle Eastern countries also avoid changing their clocks.

While for some, such as Iran and Jordan, the removal of DST is a fairly recent change, Egypt has decided to reimpose it in 2023.

Most countries in Africa do not use it. So are Morocco and the nearby Canary Islands, which are part of Spain.


Male hand adjusting or changing the time on white alarm clock.
More than 70 countries around the world are changing their clocks (Image: Getty Images)

Is there any benefit to changing the hours?

How the change will affect you depends on several factors, such as what time you wake up in the morning and your activity pattern during the day; but everyone’s circadian rhythm will be adjusted accordingly.

NHS GP Partner and Opera Inpatient GP Trainer Dr. Tim Mercer said: Bristol Live: ‘In the evenings and in the dark, the pineal gland increases melatonin production, signaling to the body that it is time to sleep.

‘Conversely, exposure to sunlight suppresses melatonin production and keeps us more alert throughout the day.

‘With the earlier onset of darkness after the clocks go back, the body may begin to produce melatonin in the early evening, potentially causing you to feel sleepy earlier than normal.

‘This change may cause temporary disruptions in your sleep patterns while your body adapts to the new schedule.’

Numerous studies have found adverse effects associated with the onset of BST, such as a temporary decrease in sleep quality and alertness that may increase the risk of accidents.

The end of BST has been understudied, but researchers at Liverpool John Mores University are currently investigating this and the wider effects of the distortion on people’s perception of time; You too can help.

Any adult living in the UK who wishes to take part in the study online survey about their experiences this week and/or next week.


Yellow alarm clocks lined up against a bright turquoise background
Doctors are urging people to pay attention to their sleep routines (Image: Getty Images)

Ways to ease changes to sleep routine after the clocks go back

Dr Mercer gave six tips to help ease the effects on our sleep routine.

Gradual Adjustments: As you approach the time change, you can try moving your bedtime and wake-up time 10 to 15 minutes earlier each day. This smooth transition can help your body adjust to the new program and reduce the shock to your system.

Morning Light Exposure: Getting some natural sunlight in the morning can help reset your internal clock. Light is one of the strongest signals that regulate the circadian rhythm, so spending time outside early in the day can help your body adapt faster. If lighter mornings are disrupting your sleep routine, consider investing in blackout curtains or a sleep mask.

Consistent Sleep Routine: Stick to a consistent sleep routine by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body’s internal clock, making it easier to adjust to the new time.

Limit Stimulants: Try to avoid caffeine and electronic devices that emit blue light at least an hour before bed. These can inhibit melatonin production and make it difficult to fall asleep.

Activity Levels: The onset of fall and winter may cause many people to reduce the time they spend on outdoor activities and exercise. Maintaining regular physical activity in winter is often beneficial for sleep; even a brisk 15-minute walk can have a significant impact.

Sleep hygiene: It is very important to understand which environment increases your sleep. This includes managing lighting, temperature (the perfect bedroom temperature is around 16-18C) and noise for a deep night of sleep. Typically, the darker, cooler and quieter you keep your sleeping area, the better your chances of sleeping undisturbed.

Contact our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

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