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Sunscreen Products: VAT — [Mr Virendra Sharma in the Chair]
09 February 2023
Lead MP
Amy Callaghan
Responding Minister
Victoria Atkins
Tags
NHSEconomyTaxation
Word Count: 9446
Other Contributors: 5
At a Glance
Amy Callaghan raised concerns about sunscreen products: vat — [mr virendra sharma in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should remove VAT from sunscreen products of SPF 30 and above to make them more affordable for constituents. This change is estimated to cost around £40 million, which is only 0.03% of the total amount of VAT received by the Government. The Minister should take this proposal to the Prime Minister and consider launching an Australian-style awareness campaign.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, killing 2,300 people each year. Around 16,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed annually, and Cancer Research UK found that getting sunburnt once every two years can triple a person's risk of melanoma. The VAT charged on sunscreen products is unacceptable, particularly with rising temperatures and the cost of living crisis. Only a tiny amount of the population receives sunscreen via prescription, and prescriptions are free in Scotland.
James Murray
Lab Co-op
Ealing North
James Murray praised the debate's importance and highlighted the growing need for sunscreen products due to increased heatwaves in the UK. He cited Cancer Research UK data stating that melanoma is the fifth most common cancer with 16,000 cases annually, of which nearly nine out of ten are preventable through UV protection. Murray raised concerns about NHS prescription access and cost-of-living impacts on consumer affordability.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon added a Northern Ireland perspective, noting the rising incidence of melanoma in his constituency and advocated for reducing VAT on sunscreen to encourage its use. He cited statistics indicating that 86% of melanoma cases are preventable through simple sun protection measures. Shannon also highlighted public polling results showing that cost is a significant barrier for purchasing sunscreen, with 57% of respondents finding the product too expensive.
Maggie Throup
Lab
Eldon
Ms Throup shared her personal experience with melanoma and highlighted the importance of early detection. She mentioned that one in 36 men and one in 47 women in the UK will be diagnosed with melanoma, resulting in about 2,300 deaths annually. She called for sunscreen products to be available VAT-free as a preventive measure against skin cancer. Maggie Throup requested a cost-benefit analysis comparing the NHS expenses related to melanoma with potential tax losses from eliminating VAT on sunscreen.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Mr Rodda highlighted the importance of sun protection and raised concerns about families facing a cost-of-living crisis. He questioned the Government's current public health work on skin cancer prevention, noting the impact of rising costs on essential items like sunscreen. Mr Rodda also urged for increased investment in public health campaigns to combat melanoma risks.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North Ayrshire and Arran
Ms Gibson highlighted that suncream should be classified as an essential healthcare item due to its role in preventing serious health conditions like skin cancer. She cited statistics indicating 16,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed each year with around 2,300 fatalities annually. She also mentioned Tesco's decision to absorb the cost of VAT on sunscreen products after discovering that 57% of adults find sunscreen too expensive. Patricia Gibson asked for clarification on how removing VAT on sunscreen would affect treasury revenue.
Government Response
Victoria Atkins
Government Response
I served under the chairmanship of Mr Virendra Sharma, commending Amy Callaghan for securing the debate. The minister acknowledged the importance of various sun protection measures including clothing and staying indoors during hot times but emphasized that sunscreen is part of a broader approach. She noted increased melanoma cases possibly linked to international travel and highlighted the NHS's advice on high factor sunscreen use. Regarding VAT, she explained it as a broad-based consumption tax applicable to most goods, including over-the-counter sunscreens, unless prescribed for specific skin conditions like porphyria or other chronic diseases. There are no plans to change the VAT rate for sunscreen. The minister also touched upon the challenge of exempting products from VAT due to budgetary constraints and the need to review decisions carefully. She emphasized the importance of reducing inflation to combat rising prices, including those of sunscreens, and highlighted ongoing efforts in early cancer diagnosis through NHS initiatives.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.