We may get an extra hour in bed, but millions of people across the UK say they feel depressed, unsafe and reluctant to leave their home as a result of darker evenings.
As the clocks went back once again, 85 per cent of Britons claim they are adversely affected by daylight saving time, according to the latest research from Santander Home Insurance.
As a result, 59 per cent of those questioned said they opposed turning the clocks back, with 35 per cent saying the clocks should not go back at all and 24 per cent believing the UK should adopt Central European Time, which gives two additional hours of daylight in the evenings.
The study revealed that 45 per cent of all UK adults feel more depressed during darker winter months and 27 per cent feel more at risk of personal injury caused by accidents and crime.
Fourteen per cent also say they fear for their children’s safety as they make their way home during the winter months.
Over four in 10 (44 per cent) of those polled say they leave the house less as the evenings draw in and 14 per cent say they would participate in more winter sports if they were not robbed of the additional daylight hour in the evening.
Rising fuel prices have also left millions of Britons struggling to pay their winter bills and it appears the issue is getting worse. Twenty-seven per cent of respondents say they struggle to cover their heating and lighting bills in the winter, up from 21 per cent in 2012 and 20 per cent in 2011.
Mark Russell, head of
Santander, said: “As the evenings draw in, our research shows people feel more vulnerable and these fears are not unfounded. Being more vigilant during winter months with regards to following basic home security is advisable.”
