Aberdeenshire MSP backs call for vat reform on sunscreen products
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Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has called on the UK government to remove VAT from sunscreen products of SPF 30 and above to tackle the rising number of skin cancer cases.
This comes following a debate in Holyrood sponsored by Jackie Dunbar MSP where MSPs threw their support behind Amy Callaghan MP’s VAT Burn Campaign. Ms Callaghan launched the VAT Burn Campaign late last year and has already received cross-party support in Westminster, as well as the backing of six major cancer charities.
Speaking after the debate, Gillian Martin MSP called on UK counterparts to bring about this “common sense policy change”.
There are 16,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed each year across the UK, with 2300 people dying. Of these cases, the majority are caused by exposure to the sun.
As many as 90 percent of cases of melanoma could be prevented by staying safe in the sun, which includes using sunscreen of SPF 30 and above with a 4 star UVA protection rating.
The UK government has so far resisted changing VAT on sunscreen, pointing instead to other measures to stay safe in the sun, such as wearing a hat and staying in the shade.
Members of the public can find out more about the VAT Burn campaign by visiting: https://www.amycallaghan.scot/vat-burn.
Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP said: “Removing VAT from sunscreens of SPF 30 and higher is a straight forward way of encouraging people to be safe when they’re out in the sun, and of preventing cases of skin cancer – that is why reforming VAT on sunscreen products has my full support.
“One in thirty-six men, and one in forty-seven women, will suffer from Melanoma in their lifetimes. Melanoma is a very serious and horrendous disease, and although it’s a life-threatening cancer it is almost always preventable.
“By engaging with Amy Callaghan MP’s VAT Burn campaign I’ve learned that around one in eight people do not wear sunscreen because of the price, and it’s been found that more than half of people say sunscreen is too expensive. This is something that your elected representatives in the UK Parliament have the power to change.
“That is why the UK government must step up and remove VAT from sunscreens, and in tandem run a public awareness campaign to promote the use of sunscreen. Not only could it save lives, but it could also help protect NHS budgets.”
