“Removing the barriers that are stopping people from using sunscreen is essential and there is already research to show that the long term savings far outweigh the loss of revenue from VAT” – Sioned Williams MS
Sioned Williams MS has secured an agreement from Welsh Government to look at removing VAT from the price of sunscreen.
Exposure to UV from the sun is the primary cause of skin cancer, and out of the four UK nations, Wales has the highest rate of skin cancer.
Skin cancer accounts for almost half of all incidences of cancer in Wales and Sioned Williams MS has been raising concerns over the cost of sunscreen that may be encouraging people to use less than they should.
The Member of the Senedd for South Wales West previously took a debate to the Senedd on the subject of skin cancer and the role that schools can play in helping to reduce Wales’ high rates.
At the start of May, Sioned Williams MS wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles MS, highlighting that the cost of living increases in recent years has pushed up the price of sunscreen, meaning that many are either applying too little sunscreen or are going without and that these products are subject to the same rate of VAT as cosmetic products, despite sunscreen being an essential part in safeguarding skin health.
In the letter, Sioned Williams MS stated:
“While I know that VAT is a reserved matter, can I ask whether you would be minded to support the removal of VAT on sunscreen, and would you be willing to raise this with your colleagues in the UK Government?”
In his response, Jeremy Miles confirmed that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language would be “happy” to raise the matter with UK Government.
Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said:
“While skin cancer is treatable and the survival rate is high, in many cases, it’s also completely preventable. There is also a cost to such high incidences – to patients, to families, and to our NHS.
“But despite its essential role in protecting our health, sunscreen is currently classed as a cosmetic product and subject to the full rate of VAT.
“Removing the barriers that are stopping people from using sunscreen is essential and there is already research to show that the long term savings far outweigh the loss of revenue from VAT.
“I’m pleased that the Welsh Government is responding to Plaid Cymru’s calls on this important matter.”
Letters
Letter from Sioned Williams MS to Jeremy Miles MS, dated 01/05/2025
Annwyl Jeremy Miles,
Last year I held a short debate on the subject of skin cancer and the role that schools can play in helping to reduce rates.
I drew upon the work of Dr. Julie Peconi and others at Swansea University in their Sunproofed project, which shows that too few schools are providing sun safety education.
Wales has the highest rate of skin cancer in the UK, and 1 in 5 of us will get skin cancer in our lives.
While treatment is highly effective, there is both a considerable cost to patients, their families, and the NHS. This cost is avoidable, as up to half of all incidences can be prevented through better sun protection measures.
While education is essential, in many conversations that I've had, it is the cost of sunscreen that remains a concern. Cost of living increases in recent years has pushed up the price of sunscreen, meaning that many are either applying too little sunscreen or are going without.
A former SNP MP, Amy Callaghan, led a campaign to remove VAT from sun protection products. At the moment, these products are subject to the same rate of VAT as cosmetic products, despite sunscreen being an essential part in safeguarding skin health.
In August last year, Melanoma Focus published a report that modelled the impact of removing VAT on sunscreen. It found that cutting VAT from SPF 30+ sunscreen could save the NHS across the UK £128 million annually in treatment costs, a saving which more than covers the revenue lost by removing VAT (£67m). The report also highlighted that up to 3,200 cases of melanoma skin cancer could be prevented annually over the next decade and 300 lives per year saved.
While I know that VAT is a reserved matter, can I ask whether you would be minded to support the removal of VAT on sunscreen, and would you be willing to raise this with your colleagues in the UK Government?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yn gywir / Yours faithfully,
Sioned Williams AS/MS
Letter from Jeremy Miles MS to Sioned Williams MS, dated 02/06/2025
Dear Sioned,
Thank you for your letter about removing VAT from the price of sunscreen.
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language has indicated he would be happy to raise your suggestion with Ministers in the UK Government and has asked his officials to contact the relevant UK Government officials to do so.
Thank you for writing to me about this important issue.
Yours sincerely,
Jeremy Miles AS/MS