Campaign secures end to ‘period pants’ VAT

WOMEN will not have to pay VAT on “essential and environmentally-friendly” period pants from today following a two-year campaign.

They will save up to £2 on average when buying them – up to a 16 per cent reduction – after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s pledge to scap the tax in last year’s Autumn Statement.

It follows a campaign started in 2021 by brands, retailers, women’s groups and environmentalists, when the so-called “tampon tax” was dropped from other period products, such as pads, tampons and menstrual cups.

However, the 20 per cent tax on period pants, which are designed to be worn as an alternative to using tampons and sanitary towels, continued as they were classified as garments. Retailers including Marks & Spencer and the brand Wuka were among some 50 signatories of an August letter to the Treasury that urged the Government to remove VAT on them.

In the letter, they promised to immediately pass on any tax cut to customers, “so they feel the benefit of the cost saving immediately”.

The letter added that period pants “have the power to reduce plastic pollution and waste”, and could save people money in the long term, but added that “one of the main barriers” for women considerting buying to them was cost.

A number of retailers, including Tesco, John Lewis and M&S, later announced they would cover the cost of VAT on period pants.

Nigel Huddleston, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “This is a victory for women across the UK and for the campaigners who’ve helped raise awareness of the growing importance of period pants. It’s only right that women and girls can find more affordable options for what has become an essential and environmentally-friendly product.”

Victoria Mckenzie-gould, corporate affairs director at M&S, said: “Paying tax on period pants was a bum deal for women everywhere so we’re thrilled that the Treasury has done the right thing by axing the tax and levelling the playing field on period products.

“Nearly 25 per cent of women cite cost as a barrier to using period pants so we know the new legislation that comes into effect from today will make a big difference to women’s budgets across the UK. A big thank you to Wuka, the tens of thousands of individuals, politicians, brands and retailers, who threw their weight behind our campaign and, of course, a big thank you to the Chancellor and HM Treasury team.”