So it turns out most people prefer Metric measurements after all. And they will stay

[cakeorwine]

Metric measurement rules to stay after Brexit review - BBC News

The rules were initially copied over after Brexit, but Boris Johnson's government subsequently announced they would be reviewed as part of a plans to "capitalise on the benefits of Brexit".
The then-prime minister pledged to change the rules ahead of the 2019 election, calling imperial measurements an "ancient liberty" and adding he saw "no reason why people should be prosecuted" for using them.
But the government has now said it will not change the rules, after 98.7% of respondents to a consultation favoured using metric as the main measurement unit for sales, as now, or as the only unit.

We will however be able to buy wine in pint sized bottles so I guess that will be the headline elsewhere.

Pints of wine will soon hit Britain's shelves in post-Brexit win | Politics | News | Express.co.uk

I am glad that metric is going to stay as the main measurement.

My Dad is genuinely in favour of this. Fair to say that he struggles with change...

Ive never heard of a pint of wine

Was this common at some point?

Having said that, Im in my 50s and although maths was taught in ml/mm etc etc, it never went in for me so I talk in imperial, weight, height, speed, distance, guessimates of things are always like that

But obviously when Im measuring up for things in the home its in metric

@lavenderlou
”I agree - one cannot take any proof from a consultation which was only partaken by to the very very small number who were consulted - or consulted via facebook!

Over 100,000 people participated in the consultation. That's much larger than the standard sample size for quantative research.”

But in quantitative research the sample ought to be representative of the population. We don’t know that’s true for those who were directly consulted, or belong to whoever group Facebook thought fitted the criteria to be shown the consultation.

I did my O levels in 1969 and was taught in metric. It’s not new. As others have pointed out, it’s a shame that Imperial units weren’t phased out entirely, as the result of not doing so has resulted in many people not understanding either system properly.
Quite a few adult learners I taught thought that the mile was a metric measurement, because it sounds as though it should be (there’s a reason for that).

You can read the results and the methodology here

Choice on units of measurement: consultation response - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

I can imagine a lot of people made an effort to ensure there were a lot of responses.

I was surprised it was so much in favour of Metric.

Of course, the survey itself was biased.

) If you had a choice, would you want to purchase items:
(i) in imperial units?
(ii) in imperial units alongside a metric equivalent?

b) Are you more likely to shop from businesses that sell in imperial units?
c) Do you foresee any costs or benefits to you from businesses being permitted to sell:
(i) solely in imperial units?
(ii) in imperial units alongside a less prominent metric equivalent?
d) Do you have experience of buying solely in imperial units?

I am sure any student designing a survey could see the flaw in that.

This whole document is rather entertaining

Choice on Units of Measurement: Markings and Sales (publishing.service.gov.uk)

As a child of the sixties, I was taught metric, but I measure in pounds and ounces, feet and inches. Because my parents and grandparents did.

Mind, I've just had a massive argument with my DH, as he was trying out a recipe using American cup measurements. He couldn't understand how they differed from our measurements till I Googled it...

This colossal waste of money and time came from a report with recommendations

FINALTIGRRREPORT_1.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

17.1 .It is currently an offence under the 1985 Weights and Measures Act to use imperial measurement as the primary indicator of measurement without an equally prominent metric measurement for trading. This has long been identified as an example of overly prescriptive EU regulation, with notable prosecutions of small traders in the early 2000s. 108 This change would require amendment of the 1985 Weights and Measures Act through primary legislation.

Recommendation
Amend the Weights and Measures Act 1985 to allow traders to use imperial measurements without the equivalent metric measurement

To be fair, who's ever walked into a pub and ordered a 568ml of beer please

I was born in the 60s but use kgs / metres in my brain.

bellac11 · Yesterday 19:21

Ive never heard of a pint of winea. Was this common at some point?

According to reports linked on this thread, yes. Yates Wine Lodges used to sell 1/3 pint glasses of sherry and port.

I am in my 50s and have always used a mixture of the 2. May as well stick with what most younger people only know and that is metric. Soon enough those familiar with the old system will all be gone anyway.

I'm 53 and it's the same for me, BigButtons I was always fascinated by Imperial measurements as a kid and used to look them up in our encyclopaedia, which had tables for the various kinds - length, weigh, volume etc.

This thread has really cleared up confusion for me, being in the US I find it strange how different systems are used at once. I see lots of inconsistencies in threads on here so now I understand. Since measurements are just math, they are universal and everyone in the world should use the same system. It's like politics are involved to control our ability to relay information efficiently. I was trying to set up my new smartwatch today and felt so stupid not knowing how many centimeters I am tall. My DD was watching too 😩 It's so ridiculous. But world leaders aren't exactly known for scientific reasoning.

To be fair, who's ever walked into a pub and ordered a 568ml of beer please

And that - in a nutshell - is where the whole house of cards comes crashing down. Because numbers.

However, given the struggle Brexiteers have with words, it's not really a shock to discover they know fuck all about numbers too.

As has been highlighted by this thread, precious public money has been spent on this pile of horseshit.

Since measurements are just math, they are universal and everyone in the world should use the same system.

They do, imperial and US customary units are formally defined in terms of base SI units.