Join the VAT Burn Campaign

SKCIN are proactive supporters of the VAT Burn campaign as a lead charity that represents the fight against both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The campaign has seen a growing number of charities, cross-party politicians and medical professionals join forces to ask Government to abolish VAT on factor 30+ sunscreen. We believe sunscreen is an essential health item that should not be classed as a luxury. Making high factor sunscreen more affordable for everyone will not only help reduce the rising incidence of the UK’s most common cancer, but will help relieve the significant burden it places on our NHS.

WHY SHOULD GOVERNMENT REMOVE VAT FROM SPF30+ SUNSCREEN?

Skin cancer is more commonly diagnosed than all other malignancies combined.

Over 265,000 annual cases affect around 25% of the UK population who will be treated for skin cancer at least once in their lifetime, resulting in over 3,500 largely preventable deaths.

Skin cancer is indiscriminate and affecting a growing number of young adults, with melanoma now one of the biggest killing cancers in the 15-34 age group.

The annual cost of diagnosing and treating skin cancer is in excess of £500 million, placing a significant financial and resourcing burden on our NHS.

With rates of the disease rising faster than any other cancer (estimated to reach over 400,000 cases annually by 2025) and rising incidence further fuelled by ozone depletion - these estimates provide only a snapshot of what the future holds.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

The good news is that 90% of cases are preventable by combining use of simple sun protection measures, which includes applying high-SPF sunscreen, with correct frequency and quantity.

However, research has revealed a staggering 19 million UK adults do not wear sunscreen. Over half (57%) consider sunscreen expensive, with almost a third (29%) stating they would wear sun protection daily if it were more affordable. A rising concern, that’s deepening with the cost of living crisis.

As cases of skin cancer reach epidemic proportions, the facts highlight a powerful case for government intervention, specifically to: (a) make sunscreen more affordable, and (b) educate the public on the importance of sun protection to drive positive behavioural change.

A dual approach of ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ education and reduced taxation has been proven to work in Australia where the reduction of skin cancer cases is globally recognised as one of their greatest health achievements.

We believe this level of intervention will not only save lives and suffering from skin cancer, but support the Government in their need to:

• Improve the quality of cancer care and reduce waiting lists.
• Make the right long-term investments
• Support our NHS by enabling precious resources to be used treating other ailments
• Help tackle the cost-of-living crisis

BRITISH BEAUTY BACKS THE VAT BURN CAMPAIGN IN ASSOCIATION WITH SKCIN

SKCIN have worked closely with key industry bodies that represent the British beauty industry for several years now supporting professionals in their unique capacity to provide preventative education and improve patient outcomes through early diagnosis with our award winning MASCED training.

With Government unwilling to abolish VAT on high protection sunscreen, SKCIN believe the industry are powerfully placed to raise the profile of this issue and ensure it stays on the political agenda.

We are delighted to bring the following industry leads together as a united and powerful voice in support of this campaign.

Victoria Brownlie, Chief Policy Officer of the British Beauty Council said: “The British Beauty Council supports calls for better education around sun safety and the removal of VAT for SPF30+ sunscreen. Challenging misconceptions around the necessity of sun protection and its role in preventing cancer and reducing the burden on our health service is paramount. However, making products accessible and most importantly affordable for all is absolutely key to this. Sun safety is a basic need and should be treated as such by Government, industry and the public alike.”

Lesley Blair MBE, CEO of BABTAC & CIBTAC said: “The rapid rate at which skin cancer is growing is a concern that requires urgent attention. Given the cost of living crisis it is understandable how sunscreen may be considered a luxury item by many instead of an essential purchase. That said, the fact skin cancer is so often preventable indicates strongly why Government should be considering every option available to assist. This includes making reputable & effective sunscreens more affordable while educating the nation on their vital importance in the fight against cancer.”

Caroline Larissey, Chief Executive of NHBF said: “Skin cancer is a growing public health concern and we must take all the necessary precautions to ensure that we educate people on the dangers of not using sun protection. We are very happy to be supporting the VAT Burn campaign with SKCIN, removing VAT from SPF30+ sunscreen will make it more affordable to adults in the UK who find it too expensive to purchase.”

Joan Scott, CEO of Habia said: “Habia fully supports SKCIN and the VAT Burn Campaign that calls for the removal of VAT on SPF30+ sunscreen combined with nationwide education. Quality sun protection is an essential health item not a luxury and should be made more affordable for individuals and families. A dual approach with supportive education is critical in ensuring positive outcomes and SKCIN are specialists in this field.”

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP…

To take action please write to your MP to ask them to support the #VATBurn campaign and if your MP responds, please forward to: marie.tudor@skcin.org

We have provided an email below that you can easily copy and paste, changing the relevant details [shown in brackets].

You can Find out who your MP is and their email address by entering your postcode into this website:
https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

Email to your MP:

Dear [name] MP,

I am one of your constituents, living at [add your address]. I would be grateful if you could support the #VATBurn campaign which asks the Government to remove VAT from factor 30+ sunscreen.

Skin cancer is more commonly diagnosed than all other malignancies combined. Every year, over 265,000 annual cases of skin cancer affect around 25% of the UK population, resulting in over 3,500 largely preventable deaths.

The annual cost of diagnosing and treating skin cancer is estimated to be in excess of £500 million, placing a significant financial and resourcing burden on our NHS.

With rates of the disease rising faster than any other cancer and the upward trajectory further fuelled by ozone depletion, sadly these estimates provide only a snapshot of what the future holds.

However, 90% of skin cancer cases are preventable by combining use of simple sun protection measures, which includes applying high-SPF sunscreen, with correct frequency and quantity. Yet research as shown that half of the UK population think sunscreen is too expensive, with 67% stating they would use it more often if it was more affordable. This is a rising concern, that’s deepening with the cost of living crisis.

I believe that making sunscreen more affordable will encourage individuals and families to use it more frequently and thereby save many lives from this devastating disease.

In addition, such action will support Government in their need to:

• Improve the quality of cancer care and reduce waiting lists.
• Make the right long-term investments
• Support our NHS by enabling precious resources to be used treating other ailments
• Help tackle the cost-of-living crisis

[Add optional personal paragraph: This campaign is important to me because….]

As my representative in Parliament, I would be grateful if you could let me know if you are happy to support this campaign.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name and address]