London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Scrap tax on sunscreen, say cancer charities

Scrap tax on sunscreen, say cancer charities

Value added tax - better known as VAT - should be scrapped on sunscreen to make it more affordable, say several UK cancer charities.

Sunscreen is classified as a "cosmetic" product and carries a 20% tax, adding around £1.50 to the cost of a bottle.

Charities want high-factor protective creams to be VAT exempt, citing the cost-of-living crisis which has seen many struggling to buy essential items.

Most skin cancers are caused by sun damage.

There are several types of skin cancer, and melanoma is the most dangerous, as well as the most common type among young people in the UK - with cases on the rise.

If untreated, the cancer can spread to other areas of the body.

Sunbeds also increase the risk of skin cancer, with some delivering greater doses of UV rays than the midday tropical sun.

"Few realise that getting painful sunburn just once every two years can triple your risk of skin cancer," said Dr Louise Soanes, Chief Nurse, Teenage Cancer Trust.

"Preventing skin cancer by using an effective sun cream is essential - and sun cream shouldn't be a luxury that only some can afford."


Cruise ship dancer Kass Barker, who says she used to be "really into sunbathing", was diagnosed with melanoma in October 2020, at the age of 22.

She had gone for a check-up of a mole on her wrist that had been worrying her.

"I just had a gut-feeling something was wrong," says Kass, from Tyne and Wear.

Kass wants to warn others about how serious melanoma can be.

"If there was a cream that people said could prevent breast cancer, then everyone would be buying it - but for some reason people do not see skin cancer as such a threat.

"I'm a dancer and I love being tanned, but is it worth your life? I see people on social media joking about getting sunburnt, but it's no joke. Melanoma can kill."

Kass wants people to be aware that changes to a mole - as seen on hers - can be a sign of melanoma


Possible signs of skin cancer


A mole that has changed shape, or colour, or looks and feels unusual.

Or skin that:

*  has a sore or lesion that does not heal within four weeks

*  looks unusual - such as visible lumps or patches

*  hurts, itches, bleeds, crusts or scabs

See a doctor if you are concerned.

Scottish National Party MP Amy Callaghan is running a campaign and petition urging government to act. She was diagnosed with melanoma at 19.

"More people wearing sunscreen means fewer people getting melanoma," said Ms Callaghan.

"But when 52% of people in my constituency can't afford to turn on the heating, it's unlikely they'll take on extra expenses like sunscreen.

"That's why we must make sunscreen more affordable, by removing VAT."

The charity Melanoma Focus surveyed 2,000 people in the UK aged 16 and over. Around half of them thought sunscreen was too expensive.

One in 10 said they didn't use it at all because of the cost.

Other reasons given for not using it included a desire to tan, a belief their skin won't burn, or a feeling that sunscreen is too messy - and unpleasant to apply or wear.

Tanning itself is actually a sign of skin damage; people don't have to burn to be at a higher risk of skin cancer.

Claire Knight, from Cancer Research UK, said: "While price may be a barrier for some, it's worth remembering that you don't need to spend a lot on a sunscreen to get good protection - what matters is an SPF of at least 15, and a star rating of 4 or 5.

"There may be other reasons people don't use sunscreen - for example, not realising that you can burn on a cloudy day, or mistakenly thinking make-up with SPF in is sufficient.

"But when it comes to sun safety, sunscreen is only part of it. Spending time in the shade and covering up with clothing are the best and cheapest ways to protect yourself against damage from too much of the sun's UV rays."

The 20% standard VAT rate applies to most goods and services, including sunscreen products purchased over the counter at pharmacies.

The exemption the campaigners are requesting would be for proven sun protection, but not foundation or other make-up containing SPF.


Staying safe in the sun


*  Wear protective clothing

*  Use SPF 30+ sunscreen with at least four-star UVA protection

*  Wear a wide-brimmed hat

*  Wear quality sunglasses

*  Seek shade from the sun whenever possible

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×