Government must take action now to protect our Children's eyes - Burstow

12.00.00am GMT Mon 30th Oct 2006

Questions asked by Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam have revealed a dangerous anomaly in the rules surrounding value added tax in the UK.

In the light of recent reports from Cancer Research and Healthy eyes showing the lasting dangers of not protecting children's eyes from the sun, Mr Burstow asked the government if they would do anything about the current VAT Tax placed on all Children's sunglasses.

The reply from the Treasury stated that agreements within the European Union prevent the UK from introducing new VAT exemptions. Other essential goods, such as footwear and clothing for children, are exempt from VAT.

Commenting on the problem, Paul Burstow MP said:

"Encouraging parents to buy sunglasses for their children is essential if we are to protect the health of young people."

"The government must address the financial disincentives that discourage such good practice as protecting children's eyes form the damaging effects of the sun"

"If the government takes action now, it will be helping to safeguard the ocular health of all our children."