NEWS
EVENTS
Stop taxing periods!
Since the UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973 there has been a 17.5% VAT (a value added tax) on feminine hygiene products.
The rate was reduced to 5% in 2000 by members of parliament, saying that this reduction was about “fairness”. But my question would really be why in the hell is there still a tampon tax, I mean really placing this essential item under luxurious products is absolutely baffling.
With big chain supermarkets such as Waitrose and Tescos reducing the price of sanitary products, by dropping 5% of the 'tampon tax' it seems this sexist old age tax has outrun its course.
A project that started back in 2016 called the 'Period watch' was created for the sole purpose of keeping a vigilant eye on the government. Breaking down barriers surrounding menstrual cycles was their goal.
I mean if you didn't get the memo people, everyone bleeds once in their lifetime, it's just we as women have to endure this inconvenience more often than some. Putting taxes on an involuntary process that females go through is stupid and frankly demeaning to the opposite sex.
The government should really be focusing on taxing the 1% of millionaires who obtain and profit from the UK's bustling industry and wealth, instead of penalizing women for a natural occurrence.
Periods are not luxuries, we don't get a bottle of champers and a foot massage, we also don't get to pick and choose when we menstruate. Instead, once we reach that time of the month, we swallow a gobstopper size paracetamol and get on with it.
For people who are not fortunate enough to maintain a stable income, the tampon tax can really be a financial strain for most women. Fair tax distribution should really be the solution to resolving the needs of the vulnerable in society. Unfortunately, This just isn't a priority in the government's eyes.
People are dependent upon the accessibility of sanitary products, so this tax just has to get going. It's the 21st century and in a few years, time cars will probably be self-driven. Therefore I believe we can come up with more efficient ways of taxing where it's needed, and not on things some members of society depend on.
Laura Coryton has been leading the campaign to stop the taxing of periods with a massive online petition that led to the Parliment accepting a tampon tax ending amendment.
Following Brexit complications, the tampon tax is said to end by April 2018.
And It's about bloody time.
