Make all therapeutic services for mental health VAT-exempt.

Background

Mental healthcare is not a luxury. Currently, mental healthcare is taxed, unnecessarily burdening those in need. Unlike VAT-free physical healthcare, mental healthcare is subject to 20% value-added tax (VAT). We would like the government to make all therapeutic services exempt from VAT.

Additional details

Therapeutic work is currently only VAT-exempt if delivered by a doctor or clinical psychologist. The majority of therapeutic professionals however, including psychotherapists, hypnotherapists and therapeutic coaches are not doctors and must charge clients VAT. Mental health services are life-saving for those dealing with a variety of issues, ranging from depression, anxiety, trauma to addiction. In the UK, treatment for mental illness is not currently given the same regard as physical illness.