A coalition of horticulture and landscape industry organizations has submitted a joint letter to the UK Government, urging the removal of VAT on SPF 30+ sunscreen. The move follows a survey by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) and Plant Network, which revealed alarming rates of skin cancer among professionals in these sectors and highlighted the economic barriers to adequate sun protection.
The survey, which included over 700 respondents from the horticulture and landscaping industries, found that 12% had been diagnosed with skin cancer, with men and those with paler skin tones being disproportionately affected. Additionally, 71% of respondents reported experiencing sunburn at least once per year, despite a high awareness of the associated risks.
The letter calls on the UK 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. The coalition argues that this change would make sunscreen more affordable for the UK’s outdoor workforce, thereby increasing its usage 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.”
Dr. Tim Upson, Director of Gardens and Horticulture at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), added, “Employers spend considerable time ensuring that those working outdoors are as safe as possible, providing advice, protection, and planning work to avoid overexposure. A VAT exemption would greatly support employers in making sunscreen more readily available to protect everyone.”
Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said, “As the trade body representing horticulture and landscaping businesses across the UK, the HTA and its specialist group, the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL), strongly support the initiative to remove VAT from SPF 30+ sunscreen. Our members employ thousands of outdoor workers who face daily exposure to the sun. This change would better enable businesses and workers to achieve better health outcomes, while reducing avoidable long-term strain on the NHS.”
The survey also highlighted significant differences in sunscreen usage between genders, with only 39% of men using sunscreen regularly, compared to 74% of women. Furthermore, 30% of those who do use sunscreen admit to rarely or never reapplying it during the workday. The survey found that 87% of respondents believe sunscreen should be VAT-exempt, and 92% indicated they would increase their sunscreen usage if the cost were reduced 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.
The letter is co-signed by a broad alliance of organizations from various sectors, including horticulture, landscaping, forestry, and agriculture. Signatories include the Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH), the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), the Garden Media Guild, the Horticulture and Potatoes Board of the National Farmers Union (NFU), the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), and the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL). Other notable supporters include the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), Perennial, Plant Network, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), and the Worshipful Company of Gardeners.
According to the Met Office, Spring 2025 has seen 43% more sunshine than average, underscoring the growing need for sun safety and skin cancer prevention. The industry is calling on policymakers to prioritize this urgent and preventable public health issue. The organizations welcome the opportunity to present their findings and work with the government to implement practical, life-saving policy changes.
