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MPs reject ‘tampon tax’ challenge

28 October 2015

By Lauren E. White

MPs have voted against a shift in government to cut the 5% tax on tampons and other sanitary products in a recent Commons vote.

It has been argued for a long time that the VAT rate on sanitary products was preposterous due to the fact it taxes women for simply being women. However, HM Revenue and Customs says the rate charged on the items is the lowest allowed under EU law and changing it would mean needing approval from all EU states.

The proposed amendment was rejected by 305 votes to 287 votes, showing that despite the rejection, it was a close call. David Gauke, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said during the debate that the government “sympathises [with] the aim of this clause” but said: “The UK does not have the ability to extend unilaterally zero rating to new products.” He also said that he would raise the issue with the European Commission.

While the tampon tax still manages to divide opinion, Labour MP Stella Creasy managed to force one Tory minister to say the word ‘tampon’ and summed up perfectly why many people believe that the tax is morally and ethically unjust. You can watch Ms Creasy’s speech below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=php82e_z7kY

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