UK clocks go back one hour this weekend

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 10:32 · Archive

Clocks across the UK go back by one hour at 2am on Sunday, October 25, marking the end of British Summer Time. The change will give Britons an extra hour in bed and restore an extra hour of daylight as the darker months approach. Clocks will remain on winter time until 28 March 2026.

Most modern devices connected to the internet, including smartphones, televisions, laptops and tablets, will update automatically. However, alarm clocks, car radios and other devices not connected to the internet will need to be adjusted manually.

The tradition of changing the clocks was first introduced during the First World War to conserve energy. Germany was the first nation to implement the measure in 1916, with many European governments including Britain following suit. The current system has been in place since 1971. While the concept was originally proposed in 1907 by British builder William Willett, who argued that daylight hours were being wasted, the House of Commons rejected his initial Daylight Saving Bill. There are currently no plans to remove the practice, though debate continues about whether changing the time twice a year remains a good idea.

How it is being reported

• The exact time clocks go back this weekend in the UK and whyTo make up for the shortening days, the clocks will go back across the UK this weekendTelegraph & Argus · 24 Oct, 10:11
• UK clocks change 2026 - exact point they go back confirmedThe clocks are changing this weekendHuddersfield Examiner · 23 Oct, 13:18

In this story: UK · William Willett · Germany · Britain

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