LETTER: British spurn call to rise and shine early

From Mr J. R. Lucas

Sir: It is not just light, but heat that matters. There are many days, even in the south of England, when it is foggy or icy in the morning, and it is difficult to get around until the sun has broken through, and the roads remain passable until an hour or two after sunset.

If we want to have working hours the same for most people throughout the year, we need to have them so that even in winter most people can manage to get to and from work most days. Nine to five GMT is a better fit than eight to four.

Yours sincerely,

J. R. Lucas

Merton College

Oxford

18 January