EU proposes plan to end twice-yearly clock changes

It seems citizens across the EU have voted to stop the twice-yearly clock changes (John Stillwell/PA) Credit: PA Archive/PA Images

It could be summer time all year long for countries in the European Union.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is backing calls to ditch the twice-yearly changes to the time following a citizens’ consultation.

Mr Juncker told the German ZDF network on Friday that “the people want that, and we will make it happen”.

EU law requires residents in all 28 EU countries move their clocks forward an hour on the last Sunday in March and change them back to winter time on the last Sunday in October.

Reports over the past few days have indicated that an EU-wide poll had shown citizens are in favour of abandoning the changeovers in spring and autumn.

Mr Juncker confirmed the outcome of the poll without giving specifics and said it would make no sense to disregard people’s wishes.

The European Parliament and the EU Council of ministers will still need to approve the changes.

The UK is due to leave the European Union in March 2019. It is unlikely any changes will be made before then.