Feb 27 • 22:09 UTC 🇬🇧 UK Mirror

Exact date clocks go forward in March 2026 and Brits may lose an hour of sleep

The clocks in the UK will change to British Summer Time on March 29, 2026, resulting in a loss of one hour of sleep.

The UK will transition to British Summer Time (BST) on March 29, 2026, at 1 am, which will mark the annual clock change that effectively moves the clock forward by one hour. This shift signifies the arrival of lighter evenings and heralds the coming of spring, although it also means many will lose an hour of sleep. Experts note that this timing aligns with a broader practice among approximately 70 countries around the world that observe some form of daylight saving time, though the practice is not universally adopted, especially in equatorial regions.

As the seasons change, the benefits of the clock shift include longer days in the evening, allowing for more outdoor activities and potential energy savings. However, the adjustment can also disrupt sleep routines, with people more likely to feel fatigued in the days following the change. The debate over the necessity and benefits of daylight saving time continues, with advocates arguing that the extra daylight in the evenings enhances quality of life, while critics highlight the health implications of disrupted sleep patterns.

Looking forward, the next major shift will occur when the clocks revert to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on October 25, 2026. This biannual clock change remains a point of contention among certain groups, raising questions about whether permanent standard time should be adopted instead of the current biannual adjustments. As the change approaches, it highlights broader themes concerning our relationship with time and the effects of such changes on daily life in different parts of the world.

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