Tourism body to join drive for clock changes to create lighter evenings

The campaign for extended daylight hours is expected to gain a boost this week with an endorsement from the Government’s official tourism strategy.

Due for publication at the end of the week, the strategy will say that so-called “double summertime” should be considered as part of a drive to increase tourism to the UK.

But sources at the Department for Culture stressed any change would require the agreement of devolved authorities, particularly in Scotland where many are opposed to a move which would make their mornings darker.

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Under “double summertime”, the UK would switch the clocks forward an hour from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the winter and then put them a further hour forward in the summer.

It would mean the sun rising an hour later than is currently the case, but remaining up for an hour longer in the evenings.

Supporters claim a change could add millions to Britain’s earnings from tourism and save on greenhouse gas emissions as people turn their lights on later.

But opponents say it would make life more difficult for early-rising farmers and increase the number of road accidents.