M&S calls on Government to remove VAT from period pants

Marks & Spencer has joined WUKA to call for the removal of the 20% VAT that applies to period pants.

Over 50 signatories have added their name to a public letter to Victoria Atkins, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, requesting that period pants are reclassified as a period product in this year’s Autumn Statement.

The signatories include 35 MPs and peers, as well as charities Wellbeing of Women and Bloody Good Period.

In 2021, the Government removed the ‘Tampon Tax’ and products such as tampons, pads and menstrual cups stopped incurring VAT.

However, under current VAT rules, period pants are classified as garments and are therefore still subject to a tax rate of 20%.

Three years on from launching period pants, Marks & Spencer now sells more than 6,000 packs each week. It is now also lowering the price of its three pack of period knickers from £20 to £16.

Designed to replace the need for other period products such as pads and tampons, period pants are highly-absorbent and made using anti-odour technology.

They also help to reduce plastic waste. According to WUKA, one pair of period pants can save 200 single-use plastic disposables from going to landfill.

Victoria McKenzie-Gould, Corporate Affairs Director at M&S, said: "The Government made a brilliant start by removing VAT from disposable period products, but we need them to finish the job and level the playing field so that whatever period product someone chooses to use, it is VAT free.

"Nearly 25% of women cite cost as a barrier to using period pants. If they were classified as they should be – as a period product – the Government can make this brilliant alternative to disposable products, a more cost-effective option for UK consumers."