Period pants VAT scrapped

THE tax on period pants is expected to be axed in a major victory for campaigners. The absorbent, washable and reusable underwear is set to be ‘zero-rated’ and no longer subject to Value Added Tax from January. The move is set to be confirmed in tomorrow’s Autumn Statement, according to BBC reports. It follows a campaign by retailers, women’s groups and environmentalists, who called for a level playing field between disposable and reusable period products. They also wanted to make period underwear more accessible to buyers. The VAT on period products such as tampons was removed in 2021 but did not cover menstrual underwear as it is classed as clothing. Stores including Marks & Spencer, which sells 6,000 packs a week, have pledged to pass on savings.