RISHI Sunak has been urged to scrap VAT on defibrillators by Scottish Government ministers.
A 20% tax is currently applied to defibrillators, used to restart the heart of people in cardiac arrest. Scottish ministers have expressed concern that the cost could deter individuals, businesses or community groups from buying the potentially lifesaving equipment.
In a letter to the UK Chancellor, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and public health minister Maree Todd have called for VAT to be removed from all defibrillator purchases.
The pair said that the health benefits of having more defibrillators available “vastly outweighs” any loss of tax revenue. Their letter said: “We know that currently, individuals, community groups and businesses who purchase defibrillators are required to pay a 20% VAT charge at the point of purchase.
“Given the new flexibilities afforded to the UK Government over VAT following EU exit, we would ask that an exemption from the VAT charge on defibrillators, which is currently available to local authorities and charities, is extended to cover all purchases of defibrillators.
“Given their proven value in saving lives, this change would minimise one of the often-cited barriers to defibrillator purchase, thus supporting wider efforts to improve their accessibility and usage. We do not envisage this would have a significant impact on VAT revenues and would have a public health benefit that vastly outweighs any receipts forgone.”
The call follows a debate in the Scottish Parliament led by SNP MSP Jenni Minto about the importance of defibrillators and urging the UK Government to remove VAT on them. Minto said: “For those who suffer from a cardiac arrest a defibrillator can literally be the difference between life and death.
“But it is not just the defibrillator itself that is important, it is ensuring we have a network of close and easily accessible units so that in the event that someone does have a cardiac arrest they can receive CPR as quickly as possible.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel