Isra-Mart srl:The dawn of a new era? Daylight Saving Bill flies through Commons

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Isra-Mart srl news:

Plans to move UK clocks forward during the winter months to ensure lighter evenings and help cut energy use received a huge boost today after the Daylight Savings Bill was approved in a House of Commons vote.

The bill, which began life as a Private Members Bill introduced by Conservative MP Rebecca Harris, was approved by 92 votes to 10 on its second reading in the House of Commons.

It will now more onto the Committee Stage, where it will be closely analysed by a team 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, a spin-off of the 10:10 campaign, 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.

The campaign for a multi-year trial is gaining significant momentum and received a major boost in recent months after a number of Scottish politicians and farming groups that have traditionally been opposed to changing the clocks signalled they could support a trial.