Bad science (a lot of the idiotic science stories I see seem to come form British universities) and from a cheap excuse of a newspaper (the Telegraph)
It seems the original article (from the Telegraph) implied the scientist extrapolated from studies of adolescents to adults - a lot of studies have shown adolescents do need more sleep, and start later in the day (so school should be shifted). But it shifts again as an adult and even over time - I wake up at 6am nowadays with no problem. I have finally gotten used to it, but it's vaguely annoying (to get old)
I think someone just need tenure or something, and someone need to fulfill their daily quota of articles.