December 29, 2023
2 mins read

Britain retains metric system for selling

The department said the U.K. had “a long and proud history” of using imperial measures and that their use is “closely associated with our culture and language”…reports Asian Lite News

The UK government has said that it had dropped its plan to start selling in imperial measures after a consultation revealed 99% support for keeping the metric system.

Ministers had looked at changing the law after the U.K.’s departure from the European Union in 2020 to allow traders to use Britain’s traditional weighing system — which measures in pounds and pints — only alongside the metric one.

But they decided against the move after 98.7% of the 1,00,938 respondents to an official consultation said they were happy using metric units when buying or selling a product.

“The government has analysed all consultation responses received and reviewed the arguments for and against expanding the use of imperial units in domestic consumer transactions,” a statement from the department of business and trade said.

“After careful consideration, the government has decided against any legislative changes at this time.”

The department said the U.K. had “a long and proud history” of using imperial measures and that their use is “closely associated with our culture and language”.

Distances in Britain are still measured in miles, while beers and milk are also sold in pints. The department also announced that rules would be altered to allow a 568 ml “pint” size of wine to be stocked on supermarkets, pubs, clubs and restaurant for the first time.

‘Brexit freedoms’

The department said the reforms were thanks to “new Brexit freedoms” obtained via the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023.

During the U.K.’s 2019 general election campaign, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged that he would bring back imperial units in shops. He claimed that measuring in pounds and ounces was an “ancient liberty” and promised a “new era of generosity and tolerance” towards traditional measurements. The U.S., Myanmar and Liberia are the only other countries that use the imperial system on a daily basis.

ALSO READ-‘Architect of EU’ Jacques Delors dies at 98

Previous Story

Blair considered putting asylum seekers on Scottish island

Next Story

Romania and Bulgaria partly joining Schengen area

Latest from -Top News

Flood fury pushes Pakistan to the edge

Pakistan battles deadly monsoon floods as death toll surpasses 850, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa worst-hit, rivers swelling in Punjab, and authorities scrambling to save lives amid looming humanitarian crisis….reports Asian Lite News Pakistan

Ranil freed on bail

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe freed on bail amid corruption probe, as health concerns and political backlash fuel debate over justice, vengeance, and the future of Sri Lanka’s fragile democracy….reports Asian

India nears $1b GE jet engine deal

India closes in on a $1 billion deal with GE for 113 fighter engines, securing continuity for HAL’s LCA Mark 1A programme and future-proofing IAF capability. India is set to take another

‘Unpredictable US Policy Stalls India Trade Talks’

Heflin remained “cautiously optimistic” about the recent announcement of Sergio Gor as the next US ambassador to India….reports Asian Lite News Former US Chargé d’Affaires to India, Donald Heflin, cautioned that Washington’s

Critical minerals, defence deals dominate Indo-US talks

India and US strengthen partnership with critical minerals at the core, paving way for a new defence framework and deeper Indo-Pacific cooperation.…reports Asian Lite News The India–US 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue, held virtually
Go toTop

Don't Miss

King Charles vows ‘lifelong service’ as UK’s new monarch

Seventy years later, the UK saw the first official rendition

Britain only G7 country where inflation is rising

The move, which exacerbated fears of a mortgage catastrophe, marked