Make community defibrillators VAT free, pleads MSP

Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto wants community defibrillators to be made VAT exempt.

Ms Minto has written to seek Scottish Government support.

She has sent a letter to Scottish Government cabinet secretary for finance and the economy Kate Forbes asking for support in her campaign to give life-saving community defibrillators VAT exemption.

Research from the British Heart Foundation has found that survival chances from a cardiac arrest can double with successful CPR, but every minute that passes without defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 10 per cent.

Currently, defibrillators are funded through community fundraising, local initiatives and business support.

However, those who look to buy one are still hit with 20 per cent VAT charges, despite other medical equipment being exempt.

Ms Minto MSP said: ‘That life-saving defibrillators are not exempt from VAT is wrong. We must do all we can to promote the need for defibrillators everywhere, particularly close to our homes and the removal of this additional cost could go a long way.

'I know the cabinet secretary is open to supporting this campaign and hope she will now write to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to ask that this exemption is granted.’