VALUE ADDED TAX ON ESSENTIAL SUN CARE HEALTH PRODUCTS

That this House recognises the need for a greater focus on preventative health care, and that skin cancer cases in the UK have more than doubled in the last 20 years with 60,000 people diagnosed and 1,700 deaths each year from melanoma; notes that children are particularly at risk with around 80 per cent. of exposure to the sun occurring before the age of 21 and sunburn in childhood being a major factor in an adult's chances of getting skin cancer; calls on the Government to take the financially prudent and caring approach of reclassifying suncare products as essential healthcare items for VAT purposes; and congratulates the Institute of Cancer Research and other bodies which have promoted skin awareness campaigns to remove VAT from suncare products.