EF-S 60mm Macro, do I need the hood?

The title says it all

If it turns out yes I do then does anyone in the UK know the best place to get one?

Cheers.

In my opinion every lens should have a hood. It's your second best protection against flare and loss of contrast (choosing your shooting angle is #1) and the best protection of the front element (without undesirable side effects, like flare and loss of contrast due to "protective" filters). It can also possibly save your camera and lens in case of a fall - I'd rather have the hood absorb the impact and break rather than the lens. So yes, you need a hood.

Can't help with the second part...

Thanks. I really don't know why I even posted this question as I know I need a hood & I know I'll end up getting one!

End of discussion

I just got this lens, also (amazingly sharp, btw) and am interested in a hood. Will the el cheapo rubber hoods suffice?

For light blocking (most of what a Canon hood would provide), yes, but don't expect any protection value from a rubber hood. It's better than nothing, certainly, but not as good as the proper Canon hood.