Take Tax Off Sunscreen

Sunscreen is currently classified in the UK as a “cosmetic product”, which means that it is subject to 20% VAT. Wearing sunscreen is key to preventing sunburn, one of the major causes of skin cancer. It's not cosmetic: it's essential.

That's why we're working with Co-op Pharmacy to ask the government to reclassify sunscreen as an essential healthcare item, making it exempt from VAT.

Making sunscreen cheaper will encourage more people to wear it regularly, which is key to our battle against skin cancer. Will you send your MP an email now and ask them to take tax off sunscreen?

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Promoted by Joe Fortune on behalf of the Co-operative Party, both at Unit 13, 83 Crampton Street, London, SE17 3BQ, United Kingdom. Co-operative Party Limited is a registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Registered no. 30027R

To write to your MP about this issue, add your name and email to this form and press send. We have provided a template response which you can edit if you wish.

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MP Name*
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Your name*
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To: your.mp@parliament.uk

Dear Example Name MP,

Your message*
I was very concerned to find out that the Government applies full 20% VAT on Sunscreen products. This has been highlighted to me by the Co-op Midcounties and the Co-operative Party, who are campaigning for the re-classification of sunscreen products to make them exempt from VAT and more affordable for people. I am fully supportive of their campaign. Sunscreen is currently classified in the UK as a “cosmetic product”. However, Cancer Research UK state that getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma skin cancer, and that melanoma skin cancer incidence rates have more than doubled (135%) in the UK since the early 1990s. It is therefore time for sunscreen to be reclassified as an essential healthcare item, which would allow it to be VAT exempt. The average bottle of sunscreen costs £5-£7, with around £1.50 of this being the VAT charge applied. Removing VAT from these essential items will therefore play a significant part in making sunscreen more affordable and encouraging more people to protect themselves from the potentially harmful effects of too much sun. This is an important measure which would help to prevent skin cancer and make a real difference to people. I hope that, as my MP, I can rely on your support in raising this with the Government and calling for action.
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