The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Beauty, Hair & Wellbeing has launched its landmark report, “A Preventable Crisis: The Case for a National UV Safety Strategy,” following a comprehensive year-long inquiry into UV safety in the UK.
The report warns that the UK currently lacks a cohesive national strategy to mitigate the impact of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies as a Group 1 carcinogen. With melanoma cases projected to rise by 9% by 2038 according to Cancer Research UK, the APPG is calling for a radical shift in how the Government and public perceive UV protection.
Key Recommendations and Findings
● Abolish the Sunscreen Tax: The APPG recommends reducing VAT on children’s sunscreen (SPF 30+) to 0% and adult sunscreen to 5%, reclassifying it as essential “preventative healthcare” rather than a luxury cosmetic. 31% of parents admit they cannot always afford to apply sun protection to their whole family* *(Research undertaken on behalf of Tesco).
● Mandatory Sunbed Regulation: Highlighting that sunbed use before age 35 increases melanoma risk by 59%, the report calls for a total ban on sunbed advertising and the introduction of graphic health warnings on machines, similar to tobacco regulation. If safety does not improve, the APPG suggests a phase-out model that raises the legal age of use by one year, every year.
● Workplace Protection: The report demands that UV radiation be classified as an occupational hazard, requiring employers to provide sun protection as compulsory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the UK’s millions of outdoor workers.
● Education Reform: Following the blueprint of the Government’s recent national toothbrushing programme, the APPG recommends mandatory UV safety education in both primary and secondary schools to protect children during the most critical window for prevention.
● Combatting Digital Misinformation: The report calls for the use of the Online Safety Act to compel social media platforms to censor misleading claims, such as those promoting “base tans” or “toxic” sunscreen myths, and redirect users to trusted sources like the NHS.
The Case for Change: Vital Statistics
- 86% of melanoma skin cancer cases and 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers in the UK are entirely preventable. (Cancer Research UK).
- More than seven people die every day from melanoma in the UK (Cancer Research UK).
- The estimated annual cost to the NHS for treating skin cancer is £750 million (NHS data).
- Every £1 given up in VAT revenue by zero-rating sunscreen is estimated to return £2.47 in NHS savings by 2033 (Melanoma Focus).
- Projections show that melanoma incidence rates are expected to rise by 9% by 2038, leading to around 26,500 new cases annually (Cancer Research UK).
- Having five or more sunburns doubles your risk of melanoma, and just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles the chances of developing melanoma later in life (The Skin Foundation).
- A systematic review published in the British Medical Journal highlighted that using a sunbed before the age of 35 increases the risk of developing melanoma by 59%.
- Published research presented to the APPG found outdoor workers face a 60% higher risk of non-melanoma skin cancer compared to indoor workers.
- 73% of people do not know at which UV index they should start protecting their skin (Cancer Research UK’s Sun and Sunbeds Survey 2025).
A Year of Action
Launched in May 2025 and chaired by Carolyn Harris, the APPG UV Safety Inquiry represents a landmark, cross-party investigation into the root causes of UV-related harm in Britain.
Over the past year, the inquiry has gathered extensive evidence from academics, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, industry experts and individuals with lived experience.
The inquiry’s report focussed its findings on six key areas – these are:
1. Public Awareness
2. Education
3. Cost and Accessibility
4. Protection for Outdoor Workers
5. Artificial UV Regulation
6. Tackling Misinformation
Its findings will provide a strategic roadmap for both government and industry, with recommendations focused on prevention, education, accessibility and regulation that will improve public health and ultimately save lives.
A central finding of the inquiry is that current UK sun safety efforts are a patchwork of siloed campaigns led by individual brands and charities.
Carolyn Harris MP, Chair of the APPG for Beauty, Hair & Wellbeing, said:
“We must stop short-term thinking about sun protection. For too long, we have relied on seasonal, holiday messaging that reinforces the dangerous myth that UV safety is only for the summer. We are calling on the Government to lead a sustained, national campaign—built on cross-party consensus—that mirrors the 40-year success of Australia’s ‘Slip, Slop, Slap!’ initiative.”
More information on the inquiry can be found on the BAW APPG website.
