Dear supporter,
I hope this update finds you festive and well!
Thank you for your ongoing support for #AXEtheSPFtax, the campaign to abolish VAT on sunscreen in the UK.
It's been an inspiring first five months of campaigning, with thousands of signatures on the petition, political backing from The Liberal Democrats, and national press coverage in The Guardian and Delayed Gratification magazine.
Amidst the year's-end campaigning efforts, I've sprinkled some festive fun through political postboxes with the inaugural #AXEtheSPFtax Christmas card. The card, whose design is in the header, boasts a political sketch studded with campaign Easter eggs. It seemed fitting to post it digitally to you, the campaign's supporters.
Before logging off to recharge for 2025, I wanted to update you on the latest news...
I'm delighted to announce TWO new campaign endorsements from leading figures in the skincare industry.
Considering the 'luxury or cosmetic' tax that affects sunscreen, brands who produce or sell sunscreen have a direct stake in its VAT status. I'm thrilled about the the passionate response from the my newest backers, the online store Face the Future and Alice Henshaw of SkinCycles, both of whom are major retailers of SPF products:
Julia Barcoe Thompson, CEO and Founder of Face the Future, said:
'At Face the Future, we are dedicated to helping individuals take control of their skin health with the best products and advice. Sun protection is a cornerstone of skin health, playing a critical role in preventing serious conditions like skin cancer.
However, in the UK, consumers face significant barriers to accessing sun protection due to VAT being applied to sunscreen products. This additional cost makes it harder for many people to afford the essential protection they need.
The Axe the SPF Tax campaign reflects our shared belief that sunscreen is a vital healthcare product, not a luxury. Earlier this year, through our 'VAT Burn' initiative, we absorbed the VAT cost on key sunscreen products to help more people access sun protection.
We fully support Jessica’s campaign and urge policymakers to remove VAT on SPF products. It’s time to treat sun protection as a healthcare necessity, ensuring everyone has access to everything they need to protect their skin and their health.'
Alice Henshaw, skincare influencer and founder of SkinCycles and Harley Street Injectables, said:
'I’m proud to support the #AXEtheSPFtax campaign, fully backing this initiative through both SkinCycles and Harley Street Injectables to push for the removal of VAT on SPF products in the UK.
Growing up in New Zealand, where sun protection is part of everyday life, I’ve always been aware of the dangers of UV exposure. Moving to the UK, I was surprised to discover that many people still view sunscreen as something for holidays rather than a daily essential.
In my work, I frequently hear why people hesitate to use SPF—concerns about white cast, scent, and how it wears with makeup. At SkinCycles, we’ve designed our sunscreens to address these issues, making SPF an effortless part of daily skincare. But to truly make an impact, SPF needs to be recognized for what it truly is: a daily essential for skin health.
Sun protection isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. We are committed to championing this cause and hope to see the government recognize SPF as the essential, lifesaving product it truly is.'
A wonderful early Christmas gift! I'm so grateful to Julia and Alice for their generous endorsements. The New Year will see me collaborating further with their brilliant brands to spread the campaign's message. You can follow me on Instagram at @jessicazwebster to catch me in podcasts and IG lives, banging the drum for enhanced accessibility to sunscreen.
All that's left for now is to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'm so grateful for your ongoing support, shares, funding and kind messages this year. May 2025 be a productive year for our petition, and may your stockings be stuffed with SPF50.
Best wishes,
Jessica ZW
Campaign Director, #AXEtheSPFtax