Call to remove VAT from condoms

VAT should be removed from over the counter contraception, the group says

VAT should be removed from all over the counter contraceptives, according to a panel of government advisers.

The Independent Advisory Group for Sexual Health and HIV made at total of 29 recommendations.

The annual report said the cost of over the counter contraception was acting as a "disincentive to consistent use".

It also called for more access to free contraception at NHS outlets as part of its drive to reduce teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

The report said diagnoses of STIs are soaring and, despite recent reductions, the UK still has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in western Europe.

Contraception saves the NHS £2.5 billion a year in spending on STIs, pregnancy and abortions.

Abortions

But the group said over the cost of counter contraception remained "high and prohibitively expensive for many people".

It also said the NHS should aim to fund at least 90% of abortions.

At the moment 80% of abortions are performed by the NHS, although that figure drops to less than two thirds in some areas.

More than a quarter of primary care trusts have "unacceptable" waiting times for abortions, the 2003-4 report said.

We also support the proposed expansion in availability of free condoms and the reduction in VAT on over the counter contraceptives Toni Belfield

The group also called for improvements in sex education, tailored sexual health services for ethnic minority groups and cutting waiting time to 48 hours or less for appointments at genitourinary medicine groups.

Baroness Joyce Gould said: "Some believe sexual health issues to be a kind of Pandora's box of sins unleashed on a permissive society.

"It's time to destigmatise sexual health and properly deal with what is and will continue to be a very real consideration for public health."

The Family Planning Association agreed VAT should be removed from over the counter contraception, saying it would increase the numbers using condoms.

Toni Belfield, director of information, said: "We welcome the recommendation that the NHS should prioritise sexual health and urge the government to take the lead on this through its forthcoming white paper on public health.

Sexual health

"We also support the proposed expansion in availability of free condoms and the reduction in VAT on over the counter contraceptives."

But Nuala Scarisbrick, a trustee of prolife charity Life, said the report adopted a "sticking plaster approach".

She said the recommendations were just "more of the same policies" which were causing the current sexual health crisis.

"Young people need to be educated how to value themselves enough to say no to casual sex."

The government is expected to formally respond to the report later in the year.

The Department of Health said the removal of VAT was a matter for the Treasury but a spokeswoman pointed out that contraception was free on the NHS.

She also said the NHS was not aiming to increase the number of abortions it funds.

"It is a matter for people to decide whether they go private."

The Treasury said it would not comment on the prospect of VAT removal as it was a matter for the Budget process.