Clocks across the UK will go back an hour at 2am on Sunday, October 25, a day earlier than in 2025, marking the end of daylight saving time. The change means an extra hour in bed, but also brings earlier evening darkness, with sunset due to fall to 5.07pm that day.
Earlier change than last year
This year the clocks go back on the last Sunday of October, which falls on October 25. Last year they changed on October 26. While phones and other digital devices will update automatically, people with analogue watches and household clocks will need to set them back an hour before going to bed on Saturday night.
The tradition of changing the clocks, often remembered by the phrase "spring forward, fall back," was introduced to make better use of natural daylight. The shift means mornings will be brighter, providing an extra hour of morning light, but evenings will get darker earlier.
Sunset times drop sharply
According to timeanddate.com, sunset today (September 6) is at 8.02pm. By Wednesday, September 30, sunset will have fallen to 7.04pm, and by Sunday, October 25, the day the clocks go back, it will drop further to 5.07pm. The days will continue to shorten steadily through autumn.
All European Union member states adjust their clocks at this time, with Iceland the only exception, remaining on Western European Time year-round.
Future of daylight saving uncertain
The European Union voted in 2019 to potentially end daylight saving time altogether after 2021, following a survey showing most people would prefer not to switch clocks twice a year. However, the decision was delayed due to the Covid pandemic, and no further action has been confirmed. For now, the twice-yearly change remains in place across the UK and the EU.
