Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Sunscreen Products: VAT — [Mr Virendra Sharma in the Chair]

09 February 2023 · 5 other contributors · 9,446 words

Opened by Amy Callaghan SNP East Dunbartonshire

Responding minister: Victoria Atkins

TaxationNHSEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

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 points

  • Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with 2,300 deaths annually.
  • The VAT charged on sunscreen products is seen as problematic amid rising temperatures and cost pressures.
  • The Government is asked to remove VAT on sunscreen products of SPF 30 and above.

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.

Opened the debate

Amy Callaghan SNP East Dunbartonshire

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.

Other contributors (5)
  • 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

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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