Scrapping VAT from sun protection products ‘can save lives’, SNP MP says
MP for East Dunbartonshire said it ‘should be uncontroversial to state that these products must be made as accessible and as affordable as possible’.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.People are “being priced out of buying sunscreen” an SNP MP has warned, as she called on the Government to exempt sun protection products from VAT.
SNP Amy Callaghan told MPs she had a “deeply personal interest in the area in which I’m trying to legislate”.
Her Sun Protection Products (Value Added Tax) Bill was, she said, a “tiny sacrifice on VAT revenue which can save lives and money down the line”, adding “0.03% of VAT income is not worth the human cost of melanoma”.
It's life-threatening, it's not something to belittle and the UK Government should and could be leading the way on this
She said: “If sunscreen products are more affordable, then our constituents would be more likely to buy them, use them and protect their skin. We know from market research that our constituents and families across our constituencies are being priced out of buying sunscreen products.”
She added: “Less than half a percent of revenue generated by the Treasury from value added tax (VAT) comes from sunscreen products – £40 million out of £256 billion.”
She went on: “I would caution the Government not to ignore the serious risk skin cancer poses, but I ask them to consider whether they want to go down the dangerous path of ignoring the voice of survivors, particularly when the survivors are members of this House.
“It’s life-threatening, it’s not something to belittle and the UK Government should and could be leading the way on this.”
The MP for East Dunbartonshire said it “should be uncontroversial to state that these products must be made as accessible and as affordable as possible”.
Approximately 16,000 people a year are diagnosed with melanoma, she said, adding “every year it kills 2,300 people across the UK, making it the fifth most common cancer”.
The Bill is listed for a second reading on Friday, March 24, but is unlikely to become law due to a lack of parliamentary time.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.