Waitrose and John Lewis have aligned with M&S in advocating for the removal of VAT on period pants, a charge currently set at 20%. These retailers are absorbing VAT costs to ease financial burdens on customers. There is a governmental review of the tax status of period pants. Sainsbury’s joins the campaign, aiming to pass savings to consumers. The initiative highlights inequities in tax regulations surrounding essential items.
Waitrose, alongside John Lewis, has echoed the call made by M&S for the government to abolish the value-added tax imposed on period pants, which is currently 20%. In a bid to support this cause, Waitrose is covering the VAT cost on its collection of over 30 period underwear products. This move is aimed at alleviating the financial pressure on consumers, as stated by Nicki Baggott, the sanitary products buyer for Waitrose, who declared, “It’s a no-brainer that period underwear should be classed as a period product. It’s the right thing to do, and will help our customers save money on everyday essentials.”
While disposable period products like pads and tampons are VAT-exempt, period pants are still categorized as garments, resulting in the tax levy. However, the campaign by M&S, which has been in motion for the past couple of weeks, has seen some progress. Notably, the government has now agreed to review the taxing of period pants, marking a potential shift in their classification.
Sainsbury’s has pledged support to the ‘Say Pants to the Tax’ initiative, advocating for a change in the tax law and committing to passing any eventual savings directly to customers. This aligns with efforts from other retailers, encouraging a collective push towards reforming tax policies that disproportionately affect women’s essential health products.
The collective advocacy by leading retailers marks a significant step towards addressing inequities in the taxation of essential health products.
