GREENOCK and Inverclyde's MSP has thrown his weight behind a campaign to make sunscreen products more affordable in a bid to reduce instances of skin cancer.

Stuart McMillan has backed MP Amy Callaghan's VAT Burn campaign calling for the UK Government to remove VAT from sunscreen products of SPF 30 and above to tackle the rising number of skin cancer cases.

Ms Callaghan launched the campaign late last year and has already received cross-party support in Westminster, as well as the backing of six major cancer charities.

Speaking after a recent parliamentary debate, SNP MSP Mr McMillan urged UK counterparts to bring about this 'common sense policy change'.

Mr McMillan said: “I fully support reforming VAT on sunscreen products.

"This would be a simple, effective way to encourage more people to stay safe in the sun, and of preventing cases of skin cancer.

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“Melanoma is a horrendous disease that one in 36 men, and one in 47 women, will suffer in their lifetimes.

"It is also a life-threatening cancer, and almost always preventable.

“We know that around one in eight people are not wearing sunscreen because of the price, and 57 per cent said it was too expensive in general.

"This is something we, as politicians, have the power to change.

“That is why the UK government must step up and remove VAT from sunscreen, and in tandem run a public awareness campaign to promote the use of sunscreen.

"Not only could it save lives, but it could also help protect NHS budgets.”

Members of the public can find out more about the VAT Burn campaign by visiting here.

There are 16,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed each year across the UK, with 2,300 people dying. Of these cases, the majority are caused by exposure to the sun.

As many as 90 per cent of cases of melanoma could be prevented by staying safe in the sun, which includes using sunscreen of SPF 30 and above with a four-star UVA protection rating.