Cutting VAT from sunscreens could save the NHS over £128m a year in cancer treatment costs. The move could also save over 300 lives a year in the UK, according to skin cancer charity Melanoma Focus.

Research commissioned by the charity, published today (August 29), concluded that removing VAT from the sale of sunscreen products could prevent between 2,500-3,200 cases of melanoma skin cancer annually over the next decade.

Melanoma Focus, alongside other skin cancer charities, is calling on the Government to cut VAT from SPF 30+ sunscreens to make them more affordable, encourage usage and, ultimately, reduce skin cancer cases and deaths.

Melanoma skin cancer is becoming more common in the UK and researchers are anticipating a record high of 20,800 cases this year. This is expected to rise to 27,000 by 2040, says the charity. 

Treatments, particularly if the cancer is caught early, can be very effective, but the average cost to the NHS for a patient diagnosed with an early stage melanoma is approximately £9,000. This significantly exceeds £200,000 for patients diagnosed with a melanoma that has spread to other organs in the body, according to Melanoma Focus.

The research projected that, because of rising skin cancer prevalence, the cost savings to the NHS resulting from zero rate VAT on sunscreens would nearly double the potential loss in tax revenue by 2033 (£193m vs. £79m)

An earlier survey from Melanoma Focus found that nearly half (45 per cent) of UK adults think sunscreen is too expensive and most (60 per cent) said they would use it more if it was cheaper. 

The survey also found that between 10-15 per cent of people don’t use sunscreen at all because of the cost and 82 per cent think VAT should be removed from entirely from sun protection products.

It is estimated that 86 per cent of melanoma skin cancer cases can be prevented by sun protection measures including using high factor sunscreen.

Susanna Daniels, chief executive of Melanoma Focus, said removing VAT from sunscreen is imperative. “There is compelling evidence that it will not only protect lives but also create substantial cost savings for the NHS. Melanoma can be deadly and it’s on the rise in the UK. We’ve reached the point that more people are dying from melanoma here than in Australia.

“Sunscreen is a key tool in preventing skin cancer... but with continued pressures on household budgets, many people are struggling to afford this essential product,” she said.