Why do we change the clocks in the UK? The reason behind your extra hour in bed this weekend, 28/29 October 2023.
It’s almost that time of year when the UK turns the clocks back by one hour… but why does it happen?
Every year, the clocks change twice – forwards as we enter British Summer Time (BST) and then back again as we prepare for the winter, bringing BST to an end.
The change can make a big difference, with more of us waking up in darkness for work or potentially getting an extra hour of lie-in, depending on the change.
So, why do the clocks change, and when do they go back in 2023?
Why do the clocks change in the UK?
When the change was introduced, it gave farmers an extra hour of sunlight to work – a helpful boost to the agricultural sector following the crippled British economy during the First World War.
Some have previously raised the possibility of getting rid of putting the clocks forward and back – a tradition which dates back over a century. Campaigners have argued that it is outdated in an age that sees the UK much less reliant on farming for much of its economy than it once was.
When did we start changing the clocks?
The Daylight Savings Time initiative was introduced and formalised as British Summer Time with the Summer Time Act 1916.
When do the clocks change in autumn 2023?
At this time, 2am will go back to 1am, giving us an extra hour in bed and preparing us for the colder months when the sun sets earlier and days get significantly shorter.
In 2024, the clocks will go forward again by an hour, on Sunday, March 31.
Which countries change their clocks?
While it’s been a practice in the UK for over a century, we aren’t alone in changing the clocks for British Summer Time (known as Daylight Savings Time in other places).
All European Union countries and many European non-members continue to make the switch twice a year.
Outside of Europe, changing the clocks is also practiced in Argentina, Paraguay, Cuba, Haiti, the Levant, New Zealand and parts of Australia.
The US has changed the clocks twice a year for many decades, like the UK, but this is all set to change. The US Senate passed a bill to make Daylight Savings Time permanent. The Sunshine Protection Act was unanimously passed in 2022 meaning clocks will no longer change back and forth twice a year. From 2023, it will establish a fixed time all year round.
Sharing a tasty dish for this time of year 
Sausage and Bean Casserole
All the best Jan
