Could Brussels still stop us turning clocks back?

neW eU rules could ban the UK from changing its clocks in the autumn and spring, a report warns today.

Brussels is planning to end the practice of ‘daylight saving’ across the eU following claims that it is unpopular.

The move would mean eU countries having to choose to adopt permanent summer or winter time, leaving Belfast potentially having to decide whether to align itself with clocks in the republic or the rest of the UK, peers warned. It is not due to come in until after Britain has left the eU next year.

But a Lords committee report warns that, under the draft withdrawal agreement, the UK would have to adopt the change during the Brexit transition period.

Decisions beyond that would depend on the deal negotiated by Theresa May. Peers accuse Brussels of overstepping the mark, saying the proposal ‘does not comply’ with the principle of ‘subsidiarity’, which requires the eU to allow matters to be devolved to member states where possible.

The report also states that the european Commission has failed to ‘adequately explain or justify’ the change.

Current rules mean every state has to switch to summer time on the last sunday of March and back to winter time on the last sunday of October. The move would ‘ultimately remain each member state’s decision whether to go for permanent summer or wintertime (or a different time)’, the proposals state.

european Commission president JeanClaude Juncker has said millions ‘believe that in future, summer time should be yearround, and that’s what will happen’.

The move needs the support of all eU countries and backing from MePs.