London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Aug 04, 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
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
×