Written questions

Sunscreens: VAT

Commons · Question 18222 · Tabled 13 Jul 2026 · Treasury · Official record

Answered 16 Jul 2026

Question

Asked by Pippa Heylings

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing VAT from sunscreen products on public health outcomes; and whether she plans to reclassify sunscreen products with SPF protection as essential health

Answer

Answered by Dan Tomlinson, 16 Jul 2026

VAT rules do allow drugs and medications that are dispensed by a registered pharmacist against a prescription issued by a qualifying health professional to be zero rated for VAT. High-factor sunscreen is already on the NHS prescription list for certain co...