The British government is considering a return to a wartime phenomenon, British Double Summer Time. This is a time zone that is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. But the plan also calls for Britain to keep permanent daylight saving time for the rest of year, eliminating Greenwich Time altogether. It is part of the coalition government’s European tourist strategy, which is due to be published this week. Under the scheme, clocks will go forward an hour from Greenwich Mean Time in the winter and a further hour in the summer, leading to lighter summer evenings and darker mornings. Travellers from the Eastern Time Zone (Toronto, New York etc) may not like it. They will have to adjust to a six hour time difference rather than the usual five. Supporters claim Britain’s tourism industry would earn millions extra from the move, as well as saving thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions as people turn their lights on later. Conservative MP Rebecca Harris said it would extend the tourist season and boost the economy by up to £3.5 billion a year. However, opponents insist it will make life more difficult for farmers who rise early as well as children travelling to school. Double Summer Time will add to jet lag
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The British government is considering a return to a wartime phenomenon, British Double Summer Time. This is a time zone that is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. But the plan also calls for Britain to keep permanent daylight saving time for the rest of year, eliminating Greenwich Time altogether. It is part of the coalition government’s European tourist strategy, which is due to be published this week. Under the scheme, clocks will go forward an hour from Greenwich Mean Time in the winter and a further hour in the summer, leading to lighter summer evenings and darker mornings. Travellers from the Eastern Time Zone (Toronto, New York etc) may not like it. They will have to adjust to a six hour time difference rather than the usual five. Supporters claim Britain’s tourism industry would earn millions extra from the move, as well as saving thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions as people turn their lights on later. Conservative MP Rebecca Harris said it would extend the tourist season and boost the economy by up to £3.5 billion a year. However, opponents insist it will make life more difficult for farmers who rise early as well as children travelling to school. 