SUPERDRUG SEX TAX CAMPAIGN

Early day motion 687, tabled 10 October 2005 by Lynne Jones (Labour). Signed by 71 members.

That this House supports Superdrug's campaign for the reduction of VAT on condoms; notes that thousands of employees and customers have signed the store's `sex tax' petition supporting the Company's call that condoms should be classed as an essential health item and not a luxury item; commends Superdrug for permanently cutting the VAT from its own brand condoms in May; notes that over £7 million is currently paid in VAT on condoms each year whilst, according to the Independent Advisory Group for Sexual Health and HIV report, the use of condoms saves an estimated £2.5 billion a year through the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies; is concerned that reported cases of HIV are on the increase and that Britain has the highest incidence of teenage pregnancies in Europe; believes that the use of condoms is the best way to cut both these worrying statistics and that a reduction in VAT would help promote their use; recognises that due to its position as an EU member state, the UK cannot entirely remove VAT on condoms but can reduce it to five per cent.; and therefore calls upon the UK Government to make this reduction without delay.

Signatures by party: Labour 41, Liberal Democrat 26, Plaid Cymru 3, UUP 1.