South East England MEP urges Chancellor
to scrap VAT on sun creams

Following blisteringly-hot temperatures of in excess of 35 degrees across the UK, South East England MEP Nirj Deva has today (Sunday) written to the Chancellor, Gordon Brown calling for the VAT currently charged on sun creams to be eliminated.

Sun creams are currently classified by the Government as being a “luxury” item and are therefore subject to 17.5% Value Added Tax (VAT). Deva’s intervention follows a call by Superdrug's Director of Beauty, Jeff Wemyss for the tax to be removed.

Nirj Deva said:

“According to Cancer Research, 70,000 cases of Skin Cancer were diagnosed in the UK last year. Nearly 2000 people died as a result.

“Many of these deaths could have been avoided by people’s long-term use of sun creams to protect themselves against exposure from damaging UV rays from the sun.

“Babies, children and the elderly are particularly at risk from over-exposure to the Sun. With leading brands of sun cream up to £10 for 200ml, many of these creams are just too expensive for families with young children and senior citizens.

“With the wave of his magic wand, the Chancellor could act immediately to cut the cost of sun creams by nearly 20%.

“With the kind of weather we’ve been experiencing recently, using sun cream is not a “luxury”, it is a necessity”.

ENDS

The text of Mr Deva’s letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown is as follows:

Dear Gordon,

Following this period of hot weather, I am writing to request that you bring about the immediate elimination of VAT on sun creams and lotions.

With Cancer Research UK estimates suggesting that almost two thousand people have died from Skin Cancer over the past year and with male levels of skin cancer rising by a third over the past decade, it would be immoral for the Treasury to continue classing these life-saving creams as a "luxury item”.

I am sure you would agree that the lifting of VAT charges on sun creams would be highly advantageous to the Government's 'Sun Smart' campaign, one of whose objectives is to encourage the greater use of protective sun creams and lotions.

Thank you, in advance, for taking prompt action on this issue.

As ever,

Nirj Deva DL MEP
Member of the European Parliament for South East England