Call for VAT cut on sports goods

EU rules allow sports equipment to be classed as healthcare provision

VAT rates could be reduced on sports equipment, such as tennis rackets, and gym membership to encourage people to become more active, experts say.

EU law allows the tax to be cut to 5% by classing the activities or equipment as a healthcare provision.

The Public Health Commission, set up by the Tories to look at ways of tackling obesity, also said restaurants should look to scrap super-size meals.

The Tories welcomed the measures, but said they needed to be costed first.

The commission brought together a range of business leaders and health experts from organisations as diverse as Unilever, the British Nutrition Foundation and Diabetes UK to help inform Tory health policy.

We have to change the motivation at the same time as we change the environment Andrew Lansley, shadow health secretary

It made a total of 48 recommendations, including extending junk food advertising bans to the internet and mobile phones - they currently apply to broadcast media.

The group also called for calorie labelling on alcohol to be considered and more support to be given to small and medium-sized firms to set up health promotion schemes.

Dave Lewis, chairman of the commission, said: "Quality of life is being diminished and lives being cut-short with profound effects for both our society and economy.

"We need to come together to take urgent action."

Portion sizes in restaurants and cafes was one of the key themes for the commission with one in six meals now eaten outside the home.

Smaller portions

Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said UK eating habits were "reflecting the US" more and encouraging smaller portions was worth looking at.

But he added: "We have to change the motivation at the same time as we change the environment."

The commission said reducing the cost of things that encourage physical activity by tweaking VAT could provide that incentive.

But Mr Lansley said such a move would have to be costed first, while the government said it was already subsidising leisure activities - albeit not through the VAT system.

The government's Change4Life public health campaign was launched at the start of the year in England, bringing together a range of local schemes to improve the health of the nation.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "We are currently offering free gym membership through a pilot scheme."