VAT on condoms is still too high to be healthy

THE Sexual Health Centre welcomes the reduction of VAT on condoms, removing them from the category of “luxury item”.

However, a charge of 13.5% VAT on what is essentially a health promotion device is still too high.

Under EU law, member states are permitted to reduce the rate of VAT on a prescribed list of goods and services. The British government has reduced VAT on condoms from 17.5% to 5%.