UV radiation labelled a “preventable public health crisis” in new parliamentary report

APPG launches national UV safety strategy report amid rising skin cancer rates

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty, Hair & Wellbeing has declared ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure a “preventable public health crisis” in a new report calling for sweeping reforms to UK sun safety policy, including cuts to sunscreen VAT and tobacco-style regulation for sunbeds.

An All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) is an informal cross-party group of MPs and peers that focuses on specific issues, industries or causes, bringing together politicians, experts and stakeholders to raise awareness, conduct inquiries and make policy recommendations to Government.

Launched in Parliament on May 13, 2026, the report, titled A Preventable Crisis: The Case for a National UV Safety Strategy, follows a year-long inquiry into UV safety and skin cancer prevention in the UK.

The inquiry warns that the UK currently lacks a cohesive national strategy to address the health risks associated with UV radiation, despite the World Health Organisation classifying UV radiation and sunbeds as Group 1 carcinogens.

According to the report, melanoma incidence rates in the UK are projected to rise by 9% by 2038, resulting in around 26,500 new cases annually. The APPG also highlighted that more than seven people die from melanoma every day in the UK.

APPG recommends sunscreen VAT cuts and stricter sunbed laws

One of the report’s headline recommendations is a reduction in VAT on sunscreen products. The APPG is calling for VAT on children’s SPF 30+ sunscreen to be reduced to 0%, while adult sunscreen products SPF 30 and above should move to a reduced 5% VAT rate under a “preventative healthcare” classification.

The report argues that sunscreen is currently taxed as a cosmetic luxury rather than an essential health product, despite evidence showing that daily sunscreen use can significantly reduce skin cancer incidence.

Research cited in the inquiry found that 31% of parents cannot always afford to apply sun protection to their whole family, while 10-15% of people avoid sunscreen entirely because of cost.

The APPG also called for tighter regulation of commercial sunbeds, including a total ban on sunbed advertising and the introduction of graphic health warnings similar to tobacco packaging.

The report highlighted evidence showing that using a sunbed before the age of 35 increases melanoma risk by 59%.

If compliance and safety standards do not improve, the APPG recommends considering a phased age-based restriction model that would gradually raise the legal age for sunbed use year by year.

UV safety education and misinformation under scrutiny

Education emerged as a central theme throughout the inquiry, with the APPG calling for mandatory UV safety education in both primary and secondary schools.

The report states that childhood UV exposure is one of the most critical risk factors for developing skin cancer later in life, with evidence showing that one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can more than double melanoma risk.

The APPG also raised concerns about misinformation surrounding sunscreen and tanning trends on social media platforms, particularly among teenagers and young adults.

Examples cited in the report included influencers promoting “base tans”, discouraging sunscreen use and recommending unsafe alternatives such as carrot oil or beef tallow for UV protection.

The inquiry recommends using the Online Safety Act to force platforms to remove misleading UV-related health content and redirect users towards trusted sources such as the NHS.

Aesthetics industry training highlighted in skin cancer prevention strategy

The report also contains significant recommendations for the professional beauty, hair and aesthetics sectors.

The APPG is calling for compulsory training in identifying suspicious moles and lesions across all hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy qualifications.

Evidence presented to the inquiry showed that the charity Skcin has already trained around 10,000 hair and beauty professionals in melanoma and skin cancer detection, contributing to more than 400 early skin cancer identifications in the last year alone.

For aesthetic professionals, the APPG said the sector has an important role to play in public health education and early detection.

Outdoor workers face higher skin cancer risks, report says

The inquiry also focused heavily on occupational UV exposure, arguing that UV radiation should be formally recognised as a workplace hazard.

Published evidence submitted to the APPG found outdoor workers face a 60% higher risk of non-melanoma skin cancer compared to indoor workers.

The report recommends that sunscreen should be treated as mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) for outdoor workers.

Case study contributor Shane McCormick, a five-time skin cancer survivor who previously worked in landscaping, said sunscreen protection should become embedded into workplace safety culture in the same way as hard hats and protective boots.

Meanwhile, campaigner Jessica Zbinden-Webster, founder of the #AXEtheSPFtax campaign, shared her experience of being diagnosed with skin cancer at age 26 after childhood UV damage.

Speaking in support of VAT reform, she said, “Skin cancer prevention isn’t cosmetic – it’s critical.”

Carolyn Harris MP calls for Australia-style national UV campaign

Carolyn Harris, chair of the APPG on Beauty, Hair & Wellbeing, said the UK must move away from treating sun protection as a seasonal issue.

She 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.”

The APPG report concludes that current UK sun safety efforts remain fragmented, relying heavily on isolated campaigns from charities, brands and retailers rather than a unified national strategy.

FAQs

What is the APPG UV Safety Report?

The APPG UV Safety Report is a parliamentary inquiry report published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty, Hair & Wellbeing calling for a national UV safety strategy to help reduce skin cancer rates in the UK through education, regulation and improved access to sun protection.

Why is the APPG calling for sunscreen VAT cuts?

The APPG says sunscreen should be treated as preventative healthcare rather than a cosmetic luxury. The report recommends removing VAT on children’s SPF 30+ sunscreen and reducing VAT on adult sunscreen to 5% to improve affordability and encourage daily sun protection use.

What changes to sunbed regulation are being proposed?

The report recommends banning sunbed advertising, introducing tobacco-style health warnings on sunbeds and strengthening age-verification rules to prevent under-18s from accessing commercial tanning services.

Why is UV safety important for aesthetic professionals?

Aesthetic professionals s are often in a position to notice suspicious moles or skin changes during treatments. The APPG report recommends mandatory skin cancer awareness training within beauty and hair qualifications to support earlier detection.

What are the biggest skin cancer statistics highlighted in the report?

The report states that 86% of melanoma skin cancers and 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers are preventable. It also highlights that melanoma cases in the UK are projected to rise by 9% by 2038.