Waitrose and John Lewis advocate for VAT removal on period pants, joining M&S in their campaign.
- Waitrose follows Tesco and M&S by covering the 20% VAT on over 30 period underwear products.
- The government is reviewing the VAT classification of period pants, which are currently taxed at 20% as garments.
- Sainsbury’s has also pledged support for the ‘Say Pants to the Tax’ campaign.
- Nicki Baggott of Waitrose emphasises the importance of reclassifying period underwear as period products.
Waitrose and its sister company, John Lewis, have joined the call initiated by M&S for the UK government to revisit its taxation policy on period pants. They argue that these products should not be subjected to the 20% VAT imposed on garments, as it does not apply to other sanitary products like pads and tampons.
In support of this initiative, Waitrose has decided to absorb the VAT cost on its collection of over 30 period underwear items. This move mirrors similar actions by Tesco and M&S, aiming to alleviate financial strains on consumers by directly saving them money on essential products.
The campaign, led by M&S and supported by other retailers, has recently gained traction with the government now considering the VAT status of period pants. This reconsideration marks a significant shift as the tax situation has remained unchanged for a considerable period.
Sainsbury’s has also expressed its backing for the campaign by committing to pass any future VAT reductions on period pants directly to customers. This widespread retailer support underscores the growing demand for a tax policy revision concerning period products.
Nicki Baggott, a representative from Waitrose, articulated that reclassifying period underwear reflects an obvious need. She stated, “It’s a no-brainer that period underwear should be classed as a period product.” This perspective seeks to align taxation practices with consumer needs and reduce the overall cost of living.
The concerted effort from several major retailers highlights a growing movement towards achieving fair taxation on essential period products.
