{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/737079.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":737079,"attributes":{"action":"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).\r\n\r\nWe 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.\r\n\r\nMental health services are life-saving for those dealing with a variety of issues, ranging from depression, anxiety, trauma to addiction.\r\n\r\nIn the UK, treatment for mental illness is not currently given the same regard as physical illness.","committee_note":null,"state":"rejected","signature_count":6,"created_at":"2025-08-11T12:49:06.025Z","updated_at":"2025-08-21T11:23:27.578Z","rejected_at":"2025-08-21T11:23:26.002Z","opened_at":null,"closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-08-12T14:31:40.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":null,"rejection":{"code":"duplicate","details":"You may wish to sign this petition which calls for a similar action: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/731335"},"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[],"topics":[]}}}