As clocks go forward RoSPA refuses to let the sun set on Lighter Evenings bid

For decades, RoSPA has been at the forefront of a crusade to give the UK an extra hour of evening daylight by moving to Single/Double Summer Time (GMT+1 in winter / GMT+2 in summer) – as all the evidence suggests that lighter evenings would make the UK’s road users significantly safer. Figures cited by the Department for Transport show about 80 deaths and at least 200 serious injuries would be prevented on our roads each year.

Now, to coincide with the start of British Summer Time on Sunday, RoSPA is calling on MPs to breathe new life into the campaign when Parliament begins another annual session in May.

Despite winning the backing of tens of thousands of people, numerous organisations and scores of MPs through 10:10’s Lighter Later coalition - of which RoSPA is a member - Rebecca Harris’s Daylight Saving Bill was killed off in January by just a few filibustering MPs.

The Bill, which called for a cross-departmental audit of the benefits of SDST, had also received the backing of the Government.

Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA’s Chief Executive, said: “Despite our recent disappointment, it is time for another MP to carry the torch for lighter evenings when a new session of Parliament starts in several weeks.

“Rebecca Harris’ Private Members’ Bill should not have been thwarted by the actions of just a few MPs – the Bill was backed by more than 100 MPs and many thousands of people and organisations across the UK, including in Scotland. The Government themselves had said they were ‘minded’ to back the change.

“The UK deserves a full investigation into the likely benefits of this proposal. As well as saving lives, there is evidence that SDST could also improve the economy and make us happier and healthier - which is why we will continue to fight for lighter evenings all year round.

As well as better aligning daylight with waking hours, independent studies show that a move to SDST would:

·Cut CO2 emissions by 447,000 tonnes a year by reducing the need for electric lighting in the evenings;

·Provide a £3.5bn boost to British leisure and tourism, creating up to 80,000 new jobs in the sector;

·Address levels of obesity by allowing for more outdoor sport in the evenings;;

·Relieve the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder and similar conditions;

·Reduce crime and the fear of crime (especially among the elderly).

RoSPA is encouraging the public to make sure that Westminster remains convinced of the daylight saving campaign’s popularity by clicking on the big, red “Support Our Campaign” button at www.rospa.com/lighterevenings/.