MPs unite to call for an end to the Heart Restart Tax
- Heart Restart Tax
- Sep 3, 2025
- 2 min read
MPs from across the political divide joined forces in Parliament on 2 September 2025 to call on the Government to scrap VAT on lifesaving defibrillators.
The Westminster Hall debate, led by Sam Rushworth MP, was attended by 26 MPs from six political parties and showed the growing cross-party support for the Heart Restart Tax campaign.
MPs warned that VAT is adding hundreds of pounds to the cost of each defibrillator and making it harder for community groups, sports clubs, small businesses and local councils to install the devices where they are needed most.
A clear call for action
Opening the debate, Sam Rushworth highlighted the devastatingly low survival rate for people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Only around 8% survive, but rapid access to a defibrillator within three to five minutes can increase the chance of survival dramatically.
He told MPs that community groups can face costs of up to £2,500 for a device and called on the Government to remove VAT, as it has done for other forms of lifesaving equipment.
His call was echoed by MPs from across Parliament.
Mary Kelly Foy MP said the average £500 VAT bill placed an unnecessary barrier in the way of communities trying to save lives.
Sureena Brackenridge MP argued that reviewing VAT would be an important step towards widening access, while Anna Sabine MP described the tax as “simply unacceptable”.
Neil Shastri-Hurst MP pointed out that removing VAT could allow communities to purchase an additional defibrillator for roughly every five currently bought.
Jim Allister MP also urged the Government to stop taxing lifesaving equipment and make defibrillators VAT-exempt.
Jack’s message to MPs
The Heart Restart Tax campaign is fronted by cardiac arrest survivor Jack Hurley, who collapsed during a football match and was saved because a newly installed defibrillator was available nearby.
Following the debate, Jack thanked the MPs who had spoken in support of the campaign.
“I wouldn’t be here today without a defibrillator,” he said. “The support shown in Parliament means more lives like mine can be saved. No community should lose someone they love because they could not afford the tax on a defib.”
Growing cross-party support
Bill Lee, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the British Healthcare Trades Association, attended the debate on behalf of the campaign.
He said he was "hugely grateful to the MPs, and Sam Rushworth especially, who spoke so passionately today. There is now clear and widespread cross-party support for urgent action to address the UK’s defib access crisis. Removing VAT is a simple, proven step that would cut costs by 20% overnight, saving lives and saving the NHS money. The Government must seize this opportunity to act.”
Despite their effectiveness, defibrillators are used in only around one in ten out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Access also remains far below recommended levels, while VAT can add between £200 and £500 to the price of each device.
Ireland removed VAT from defibrillator sales in 2023 to help improve access nationwide. The campaign is calling on the UK Government to follow that example.
The debate marked another major step forward for the Heart Restart Tax campaign, but the Government must now turn growing parliamentary support into action.
