Institute signs letter urging for VAT removal on sunscreen for outdoor workers

Institute signs letter urging for VAT removal on sunscreen for outdoor workers - Institute of Chartered Foresters

A coalition of leading horticulture and landscape industry organisations has today announced the submission of a joint letter to the UK Government, calling for the removal of VAT on SPF 30+ sunscreen. The letter follows a revealing survey by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) and Plant Network, highlighting the alarming rates of skin cancer in the sector and the economic barriers to adequate sun protection.

The survey, completed by over 700 professionals working across horticulture and landscaping sectors found that 12% of respondents had been diagnosed with skin cancer, with men and those with paler skin tones disproportionately affected. Notably, 71% reported being sunburned at least once per year, despite high awareness of the risks.

The letter calls on the Government to reclassify SPF 30+ sunscreen as essential health protection, rather than a cosmetic luxury, and to remove the 20% VAT currently applied under tax code 3304 9900 00. This change, the signatories argue, would make sunscreen more affordable for the UK’s outdoor workforce, increasing uptake and reducing the incidence of skin cancer.

Jason Daff, Secretary of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, commented: “It is unacceptable that a basic and effective form of occupational health protection is treated as a luxury item. This is a preventable health crisis that can be addressed with a simple policy change. We urge the Government to act.”

According to the survey:

Only 39% of men use sunscreen regularly, compared to 74% of women
30% of sunscreen users rarely or never reapply it during the workday
87% of respondents believe sunscreen should be VAT exempt
92% said they would use sunscreen more frequently if the cost dropped by 20%

Leading skin cancer charity, Melanoma Focus estimates that removing VAT from sunscreen could save the NHS over £128 million annually, nearly double the projected £67 million in lost VAT revenue.