Putting The Clocks Back

A recent MORI survey for the Greater London Authority shows a high level of support for remaining on British Summer Time (BST) all year round, therefore ending the practice of putting back the clocks in winter. The plan would mean an extra hour of daylight in the evening but an hour less in the morning. The survey found that 63% of Londoners and 56% of people in Scotland would support staying on BST year round.

Some 52% of those questioned in London and 50% of Scottish respondents disagreed that they would find it harder to get up in the morning if this change were made. More than two-thirds (69%) felt that they would feel safer walking outside after dark

When offered the choice between BST all year round, switching to Central European Time or keeping the current system, a quarter of respondents said they would like to stay on BST, 26% said they would like to change to Central European Time and just under half (47%) said they supported keeping the system as it currently is.

Topline Results

• Results are based on 1,507 interviews conducted by telephone with a representative sample of residents in the Greater London area (1,006) and Scotland (501).
• Interviews were conducted 6-10 October 2005.
• Data are weighted by gender, age, work status and ethnicity to the known population profile. Additionally, the London sample is weighted by Inner and Outer London to the known population profile.
• Where results do not sum to 100%, this may be due to multiple responses, computer rounding or the exclusion of 'don't know/not stated' response categories.
• An asterisk (*) indicates a value of less than 0.5% but not zero.
• Results based on all (1,507), unless otherwise stated.

Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. If the clocks were changed to give an extra hour of daylight in the evening and an hour less in the morning, then ...

Q1a ... you would take part in more sports or leisure activities in the eveningBase: All respondents (1,507); All London (1,006); All Scotland (501)

Q1b ... you would find it harder to get up in the morningBase: All respondents (1,507); All London (1,006); All Scotland (501)

Q1c ... you would feel safer walking outside later at nightBase: All respondents (1,507); All London (1,006); All Scotland (501)

Q1d ... you would save energy on lighting and use less fuelBase: All respondents (1,507); All London (1,006); All Scotland (501)

Q1e ... it would be better to take holidays in Britain in the Spring and AutumnBase: All respondents (1,507); All London (1,006); All Scotland (501)

Q1f ... it will stay light too late in the eveningBase: All respondents (1,507); All London (1,006); All Scotland (501)

Q2 Taking account of all the things we have discussed, overall, would you approve or disapprove of a change to the clocks to give us an extra hour of daylight in the evening and an hour less in the morning?Base: All respondents (1,507); All London (1,006); All Scotland (501)

Q3 Which, if any, of these options do you most prefer? Would you say you prefer ... Base: All respondents (1,507); All London (1,006); All Scotland (501)