A Lords committee warned that the UK could be forced to stop changing the clocks in autumn and spring by the European Union after Brexit.
The European Commission has proposed an end to the seasonal clock changes in 2019. Members will be required to choose between a permanent winter time or permanent summer time.
The Lords EU internal market committee warned that if the UK and EU reach a deal to the terms of the draft Withdrawal Agreement, then the UK will be required to implement the plans during the transition period.
The proposal is being set due to concerns about daylight savings time disrupting sleep patterns and damaging people’s health.
Previous plans to axe the changing of the clocks has proved controversial in the past with proposals being put aside.
However, the Lords EU internal market committee has now brought the proposals back into the limelight as they have suggested that the UK may have to ditch changing the clocks due to Brexit.
The committee also suggested that the European Commission gave “inadequate consideration of how the role of summertime arrangements varies between member states”.
The geographical position of the UK suggests that the benefits and drawbacks of the permanent winter-time and permanent summer-time will differ between the southern and northern regions.
The committee had also warned that the European Commission had provided “inadequate evaluation of alternative options”, such as allowing member states to make their own decision.
“Increased questioning” of the current summertime arrangements will be cited as a reason for action by the European Commission.
“We do not accept that there is substantial evidence of this,” the report states.
“The 4.6 million respondents to the Commission’s consultation exercise represented less than 1% of all EU citizens, and response rates varied drastically between member states.”
“This is evident in the fact that 84.6% of replies came from only three Member States, including 70% from Germany.”
It concluded: “We recommend that the House of Lords should issue the reasoned opinion concluding that the European Commission’s proposal does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity.”
Chair of the EU internal market sub-committee Lord Whitty, said: “The European Commission’s proposal to end seasonal time changes goes beyond its remit and is not in compliance with the principle of subsidiarity.”
“We are therefore recommending that the House of Lords issue a reasoned opinion. The report comes five days before the UK will change its clocks back. They are changed in March and put back in October in a bid to prevent disruption to trade and travel.”
