Academics and think tanks questioned on abolition of clock changes

• Parliament TV: Discontinuing seasonal changes of time evidence session
• Inquiry: Discontinuing seasonal changes of time 
• EU Internal Market Sub-Committee

Background

On 13 September 2018, the European Commission published a proposal for a Directive to replace the obligation to apply seasonal changes of time with an obligation to discontinue this practice, and observe winter- or summer-time throughout the year. 

If the Directive is adopted and it has a transposition deadline that falls within the period in which the UK is still a Member State or in a transition period, the UK will be required to end seasonal changes of time and choose between applying permanent winter- or summertime.  

If the Directive is adopted and it has a transposition deadline after exit day, and the UK has no obligation to continue applying EU law, the UK will be faced with the choice of maintaining seasonal changes of time or abolishing them in line with its EU neighbours. 

Witnesses

Thursday 5 September, Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster

At 10.30am 

• Mr Pieter Cleppe, Head of Brussels Office, Open Europe
• Dr Katy Hayward, Senior Fellow, The UK in a Changing Europe 
• Dr Heather Rolfe, Head of Research, Demos 

Likely questions 

Questions likely to be covered in the session include: 

• How aware do you think the UK public is of the proposal, now that it has been published?  
• What is your assessment of the UK Government's engagement with the proposal so far? 
• Do the reactions to the proposal from non-EU countries with EU neighbours, such as Switzerland and Norway, offer any lessons for the UK?
• If the UK is required by EU law to discontinue seasonal time changes, or decides to do so, how should the Government approach the choice between permanent winter- and summer-time?  

Further Information 

• About Parliament: Select committees 
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees