We’re Saying ‘No’ to the Unfair Tampon Tax
It’s likely you’ve seen a lot in the news about the ‘Tampon Tax’ recently, that’s because the House of Commons debated whether or not to bring negotiations to the EU to remove VAT from sanitary products – the movement was rejected by 305 to 287 votes.
The movement to scrap the tax on tampons and sanitary towels has been gaining momentum for a few months after a petition was started to try to get the Government to scrap the tax. We pay VAT on items that are classed as ‘non-essential luxury items’, but really it’s difficult to justify calling sanitary products ‘luxury items’ when women can’t choose not to use them – it’s simply not fair, especially when tax exempt products include helicopters, herbal tea, Jaffa Cakes and crocodile meat. The current tax rate on tampons and sanitary towels is 5% after the Labour Government successfully negotiated it down from the then 17.5% VAT rate in 2000, but EU legislation prevented any further reduction. Despite losing the vote to scrap the tax in the commons last week, the Conservative Government have promised to bring the issue to the EU and try to remove the tax.
A woman will spend around £18,000 on sanitary products in her lifetime – about £900 in tax. While saving £900 in your lifetime may not seem like much it is something, and it’s the principle. Taxing what is clearly a necessity for women is fundamentally unfair and unequal and we don’t agree with it.
That’s why we’ve reduced the price of all tampons and sanitary towels we sell by 5% so that you pay the pre-tax price and we pay the VAT. We want to make it easier for all of our customers to make feel good choices in all aspects of life, so you’ll find all of our sanitary products are good for the environment and good for you, made from soft organic cotton and eco-friendly materials. You can learn more about our feminine hygiene products here.
And don’t forget to sign the petition to scrap the Tampon Tax!
UPDATE 24th MARCH 2016: EU leaders have agreed a deal that will allow the UK to scrap the VAT added to our menstrual hygiene products (tampons, pads, and panty liners). Hurrah! However, the tax still remains in place until the Government actually scrap it.