A UK petition against clock changes is gaining momentum, but experts say the system it wants to scrap is actually good for your sleep

A UK petition calling for the country to abandon twice-yearly clock changes has surpassed 2,000 signatures. The campaign, which advocates for permanent Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) year-round, was started five years ago by Graham Beatty and has been gaining support steadily since. As detailed by LADbible, the petition argues that daylight saving time delivers no meaningful health benefits while creating measurable disruption to daily life.

Beatty specifically highlights the impact on families with young children. He writes that many parents “struggle with the changes to the clocks,” as disturbed sleep in children inevitably leads to disturbed sleep for their parents.

Beyond the household, the petition points to financial costs for businesses and public services, including shift workers across the NHS, Coastguard, Police, Fire, and Ambulance Services. Beatty also notes cases of workers arriving two hours early after setting their clocks in the wrong direction.

The science behind the spring forward is more nuanced than the backlash suggests

Despite those frustrations, experts argue that the current system offers genuine benefits. The practice of changing clocks dates to World War I, originally intended to make better use of daylight and reduce reliance on artificial lighting, with the clock moving forward in spring and back in autumn to keep evenings lighter through the summer months.

Wellness coach Erin Clifford told Tom’s Guide that increased sunlight exposure is “crucial for strengthening your internal clock, boosting daytime alertness, and improving nighttime sleep quality.” Clinical psychologist Dr. Liz Ross echoed that view, explaining that “light is the most powerful regulator of our circadian rhythm.” She noted that longer daylight hours can boost mood, energy, and physical activity, which in turn support sleep quality.

Dr. Ross acknowledged that the “spring forward” does cause some mild sleep deprivation and temporary circadian disruption, but argued it can “eventually support sleep if people lean into consistent schedules and morning light exposure.” Amid a broader wave of online public debates over longstanding traditions, including a viral dispute over a restaurant chain’s practices, the clock change petition reflects a wider appetite for re-examining habits people once accepted without question.

Experts also note that much of the mood lift associated with spring has less to do with the clock change itself and more to do with the natural increase in light intensity and duration as the days grow longer. That improvement happens independently of any policy decision about timekeeping.

The petition currently remains open on Change.org, and Beatty’s campaign continues to draw new signatories, amid public frustration over decisions affecting everyday routines.