3 December 2010
Waveney MP Peter Aldous today commented on plans to move UK clocks forward during the winter months to ensure lighter evenings and help cut energy use. The Daylight Savings Bill was approved in a House of Commons vote this afternoon by 92 votes to 10 on its second reading in the House of Commons.

The Private Members Bill, introduced by Conservative MP Rebecca Harris, was approved for further reading and will now more onto the Committee Stage, where it will be closely analysed by a Committee of MPs, before moving back to the House of Commons and then potentially on to the House of Lords for further approval.

Supporters argue that remaining on British Summer Time (BST) during the winter and moving clocks forward a further hour in the summer (BST+1) would have huge environmental, financial and safety benefits.
Campaign group Lighter Later said the reduction in energy consumption resulting from lighter evenings would save the UK 447,000 tonnes of CO2 every winter. The group also argued the bill could add £3.5bn to the economy, create closer ties with European businesses, generate new jobs in tourism, and leisure and prevent 100 road deaths each year.
If the bill becomes law, it will require each government department to investigate the impact of moving the clocks forward, paving the way for a national trial of the proposals.

Mr Aldous said:
“It is very unusual for a Private Members Bill to be approved for a further reading and in this case I think it is very positive. There a likely to be those against the Bill but this give MPs the chance to consider the issue in more depth. An extra hour of daylight could have a very important impact on the Waveney tourist industry and in the coming months I will be opening a consultation to ensure I have the full range of inputs from Waveney constituents.”