Superdrug Sex Tax Campaign

EDM number 687 in 2005-06, proposed by Lynne Jones on 10/10/2005.

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.

This motion has been signed by a total of 71 MPs.