'A matter of life and death' - Community worker takes on government over VAT on life-saving defibrillators

John Elwell from Short Heath Lest We Forget, a community interest (CIC) company, says the group could buy another defibrillator with the VAT paid on six that are on order to be installed in the Willenhall area.

 He has started an online petition to try and gain support for the VAT to be scrapped on them,  as it is when they are purchased by charities.

The group has already installed two defibrillators thanks to donations and support from businesses such as the Homestead Pub and others, and groups like Sneyd Striders.

They have orders in for six more at a cost of over £8,800 but face a £1,774 VAT bill, a figure which he has calculated would have brought another defibrillator and bleed kit and paid for its installation

The petition to parliament needs to get 10,000 signatures by a June deadline to be heard and has been live for just over a week.

John said: "We are asking the government to make the purchase of defibrillators, bleed kits and the cabinets they are housed in all VAT free. 

"Certain organisations can purchase defibrillators with no VAT such as schools or charities but they are not always open and accessible 24 hours a day.

"We have already installed two within the community thanks to the generosity of people within it and intend to site six more at areas where they will do the most good and be available all the time,

"But the VAT paid on them is equivalent to buying another defibrillator and bleed kit and I am referring to it as the heart attack tax, because this is a matter of life and death

"People ask why we don't operate as a charity but the work we have done in the past has been  under the CIC banner because we have been able to help more organisations that way without breaching rules."

Mr Elwell, who aims to get double the amount of the 10,000 figure, has the support of Walsall's Armed Forces champion and Willenhall North councillor Adam Hicken.

He said: "I want to thank John and community organisations such as Short Heath Lest We Forget for the incredible work they do delivering life-saving defibrillators across our communities. 

"Their commitment, fundraising, and sheer determination have already helped save lives, and that deserves real recognition.

“Alongside this, we are actively supporting organisations across the borough that are working to install defibrillators and other life-saving equipment in the places where they are needed most. 

“It is deeply concerning that VAT is applied to equipment whose sole purpose is to save life. 

"Defibrillators are not a luxury item; they are essential emergency equipment, often funded through donations and the hard work of volunteers

"Removing VAT would be a simple, common-sense step that supports communities, enables more installations, and ultimately helps save more lives. I fully support this petition and the principle behind it.”

The petition can be signed at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/749931