tampon tax

[vikkimoog]

First proper positive from Brexit.
Abolition of the tampon tax from 1st January.

I though that would happen quickly!

Great news, although too late for me.

It's 5%

Let me know if there is any change to prices in the shops.

The rules in the EU were changed in 2018 thanks to pressure in 2016 from the UK. As of january 2022 member countries of the EU can choose whether to levy a tax on feminine hygene products. So an advantage of 1 year - and proof that the UK did have a say in what happens in the EU.

The only thing is the tampon tax was used to help women's charities (to the tune of nearly £50 million, but unfortunately now those charities will lose out big time.

So, a pack from Asda comes down from 84p to 80p. even on the branded versions, its a 10p to 15p reduction.
Womens charities will also lose money too unless Sunak makes good the difference.

Meanwhile the brexit hit to the economy is billions.

I think you're missing the point. Yes, it's 5%. But that's because it was classed as non essential items. This is a step in the right direction for women, to have our biological needs considered as basic needs, rather than luxury items, and taxed accordingly.

VAT is not a luxury tax, it's a general consumption tax.

And if not in EU we
a) might never have had it at all, and
b) could have abolished it in 2016, not have to wait 6 years for EU to act in 2022 (or 5 years until after transition)

Though I hope that aside from this easy win, there won't be other early piecemeal changes to VAT. Instead I'd prefer to see a considered revision (and new name to reflect that it is a tax on consumption, or indeed a change to make it a 'luxury' tax - something that UK used to have but abolished on the change to VAT)

Gordon Brown reduced VAT (from 17.5% to 5%) on sanitary products from Jan 2001, during the UK's EU membership, .
Since 2018, they've been available free in schools and universities in Scotland. Leaving the EU allows Westminster to scrap the tax a year early, but if the issue had been dear to recent government's hearts, they could have done what Holyrood did 2 years ago. Or voted for free protection for all who need it, as has just happened in Scotland. Those measures were possible while the UK was an EU member.

It will be interesting to see whether shops apply the reduction fully or adjust their prices.

Today, Sainsbury's and Asda both charge £2 online for 18 regular Tampax Compak; Ocado charge £2.75.
Sainsbury's charge £1.50 for 16 regular Lil-Lets; Asda charge £1.50, reduced from £2; Ocado charge £1.90.

That's a difference of far more than 5% simply according to where you shop (although some places had multibuy offers, which aren't included above, as I was just looking at price per packet).

Might be worth keeping an eye on those prices once the tax is scrapped next January. Although prices in general may well have risen by then...

I think it's good, and is the lack of funding generated from us buying an essential item for charities supposed to make us feel guilty? Are mens razors big contributors to men's charities? Or should we be more angry that women's services aren't adequately provided? Can we please stop blaming ourselves for things!

Wouldn't be surprised if prices increase though to make up for it hah.

Agreed however they have been using that tax to fund free products for those in period poverty. Not sure I trust this government to continue this

"Are mens razors big contributors to men's charities?"

Don't see why they wouid be. They' been subject tomVAT all along and there has never been any move to either to reduce it to minimum permitted EU level, to lobby EU to reduce/abolish it, or to divert the revenue from general exchequer pending either action, or until Brexit.

Are you suggesting that - looking now at post-transition, there should be a continuation of mandatory tax on certain items being ring-fenced for charitable use? If so, anything else you think could/should be treated that way?

@scaevola no, nothing should, that's the point. But women shouldn't feel guilty that the 5% has been cut because they shouldn't be carrying the burden of people not having enough money for essential products; I cannot think of a scenario where men would ever encounter this. Razors are the only product that comes close to being essential as some jobs demand a clean shave, but I know it's not directly comparable to san pro.

I agree Butterwhy

Tampon tax revenue should only ever have been seen as a windfall, not a permanent line of funding

Butterwhy

The issue with "Period Poverty" isn't that someone can't afford an extra 4p, its that they can't afford the 84p, for many, its tampons or food/bills, not 'pence.

Taking the price down very slightly will not make any difference, no matter how wrong the tax was in the first place.

However, i do think that when Womens refuges are closing, when 100s of women each week are being turned away, when 2 women a week are being murdered by their partners... we get all excited over 5p....
My how are lords and masters are controlling the narrative.

... It's not going to change anything. Once import duties for products are paid we may well have a 5%+ price increase.
Yep a proper positive from Brexit.

@jasjas1973 I'm quite aware of that, I know that the few pence off won't make a difference to those who can't afford to heat their homes or eat, let alone but San pro; I grew up in that situation. I don't like the fact that an essential item had a tax attached to fund what should be essential women's services. And the fact that its rightly being abolished is already drawing out those who think it is another thing for women to feel guilty about. It's not, the issue is that they need to be adequately funded by other means, and people need enough money to live off of. I don't have periods anymore as I'm on the mini pill, I still buy the same amount I used to and donate them, but no other group of people are burdened with the responsibility of funding essentials.

The prices won’t come down through 🤷🏽

You're easily pleased, OP. Anything to say about the UK leaving the EU Aviation Safety Regulator? I think that's far more important, frankly.

If you want a discussion about aviation, it might be better to start a new thread? I don't think people wouid expect it on a tampon tax thread.

Future successor tax to VAT is going to be pretty damned important. This announcement does suggest that work may be beginning on it, with tampons as the quick win.

Does anyone know if this affects incontinence products?

It doesn't affect info products (bought by charities or for own personal use) as they are exempt (ie not within the scope of VAT at all)

I don't see why a new version of VAT would be imposed on them for the first time.

DYAC - sorry

inco not info

.....meh

Pretty sure the free sanpro in schools will now be paid for in voluntary contributions which all the mums of boys will whine about because you know boys don't get periods then there will be he the inevitable transman do argument followed by a rehash of always de girling the wrappers

See you then