LED Lighting: Health Effects

Lord Patel Excerpts

Wednesday 28th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The policy for lighting is shared across a number of departments—not just the Department for Health and Social Care but the Department for Transport, as my noble friend says, as well as the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, and a number of arm’s-length bodies. We do all indeed co-ordinate and, as I mentioned earlier, work internationally, particularly with the UN Economic Commission for Europe, because we need to ensure that we update international vehicle lighting to meet the point that my noble friend is concerned about.

[Lord Patel (CB)]

My Lords, the Minister referred to blue light and its effect on children, which is correct, but a similar biological effect occurs in the retina of children based on the amount of time they spend on screen usage, particularly at night, because, as mentioned already, it disrupts melatonin production, which disrupts sleep. The same effect happens based on the length of time children use screens as for LED lighting, particularly higher-wavelength LED lighting. I thank the Minister for commenting on that.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Lord is quite right and highlights exactly the point I was making earlier on the first question about cars and lighting. There are a number of factors. Screen use can indeed be harmful, particularly where it replaces sleep, physical activity or leisure time. As the noble Lord will know, we advise families with under-fives to limit screens around bedtime and to ensure that content is age appropriate. I know that our department and the Department for Education will be publishing wider guidance for five to 18 year-olds in January.