Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the income from VAT on defibrillator sales in the last five years; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making defibrillator sales VAT exempt.

This question was answered on 24th October 2023

Businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level within their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden. Therefore, HM Revenue and Customs does not hold information on VAT revenue from specific products or services, including VAT on defibrillators.

The Government currently provides various VAT reliefs to aid the purchase of defibrillators and other first aid equipment. For example, when an AED is purchased with funds provided by a charity or by voluntary contributions, and then donated to an eligible body (such as an NHS body or a charitable care institution), this purchase can then be zero rated, meaning no VAT is charged. Otherwise, they attract the standard rate of VAT.

The Department of Health and Social Care are examining whether there are ways to further expand public access to defibrillators. The Government keeps all taxes under constant review.