The British Standard Time Experiment, 1968 to 1971
For three winters in the late 1960s the UK did not put its clocks back. The trial was called British Standard Time, and it still shapes the debate over permanent summer time.
What happened
On 27 October 1968 the UK kept its clocks at GMT+1 instead of putting them back. It stayed on that time through the winters of 1968 to 1969, 1969 to 1970 and 1970 to 1971, and Britain was on the same time as most of western Europe for the whole year.
The Summer Time Act 1968 set up the trial, and the government of the day reviewed it after three years. In December 1970 Parliament voted not to continue it, and the UK returned to GMT in winter and BST in summer from 31 October 1971.
Why it ended
The main objection was darker winter mornings, particularly in Scotland and the north of England, where sunrise was after 09:00 in mid-winter. Opinion polls showed that support was weaker in Scotland and the north, a pattern that has persisted in later surveys.
Official studies at the time suggested fewer road casualties overall, because the evenings were lighter, but the darker mornings caused particular concern in Scotland, and the political cost of the trial grew.
What it tells us now
The experiment gave real data on the effects of a permanent shift, and it remains the main argument used by both sides. Supporters of permanent summer time say the benefits outweigh the dark mornings, while critics point to the Scottish experience in the late 1960s.
Any new change would need Parliament to agree, and the question of whether the whole UK moves together or whether Scotland differs from England remains the main obstacle.
Frequently asked questions
When did the UK stay on GMT+1 all year?
From 27 October 1968 to 31 October 1971, a trial called British Standard Time.
Why did the British Standard Time trial end?
Parliament voted to end it in 1971, mainly because of darker winter mornings, especially in Scotland.
Clock change guides
- What Is Daylight Saving Time (DST)? A Plain-English GuideWhat daylight saving time is, how it works in the UK, Europe and the US, why it exists, its history, who uses it and the argument over scrapping it.
- Why Do the Clocks Go Back in October? The Real ReasonThe clocks go back in autumn to return the UK to GMT, so winter mornings are lighter. The history, the rule, what time it happens and what changes for you.
- When Do the Clocks Go Forward Again After Going Back?When the UK clocks go forward again after the autumn change, how long the UK stays on GMT, when evenings get lighter and how to remember to reset your clocks.