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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Jess Clark

UK government urged to scrap 20% VAT on period pants

Period pants by the brand Thinx.
Period pants by the brand Thinx. A survey last month found 23% of those polled cited cost for not using the pants. Photograph: Thinx handout

MPs, retailers and charities have written to the government urging it to axe the 20% VAT on period pants, the absorbent underwear designed to be worn as an alternative to tampons and sanitary towels.

Period pants are classed as garments but campaigners are asking Victoria Atkins, who as financial secretary to the Treasury is the minister responsible for VAT, to get them reclassified as period products in the chancellor’s autumn statement later this year.

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