SCRAP VAT ON SUNSCREEN CAMPAIGN

I am proud to support my colleague, Amy Callaghan, in her campaign to have VAT on sunscreen scrapped.

In the debate, Amy spoke powerfully and movingly of her own experience of melanoma.

Sunscreen provides vital protection from UV radiation and the serious harm and potentially fatal illness it can cause, yet in the UK it is still considered a cosmetic item rather than the essential healthcare product it is classified as in places such as the US and Canada. This means that sunscreen remains subject to VAT, which often makes it more expensive, deterring people from using it as and when they should.

With around 16,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed each year, it is vital that the UK Government re-classifies sunscreen as an essential healthcare product, making it exempt from VAT which would ultimately help reduce skin cancer and ease the cost of treating this on our NHS.

Watch my contribution to the debate below 👇.