Primark and Tesco join M&S in calling for VAT to be scrapped on period underwear

Primark and Tesco have added their voices to calls for the Government to scrap VAT on period underwear.

The retail giants join Marks & Spencer and period underwear and swimwear maker WUKA in the 'Say Pants to the Tax' campaign and have pledged to pass on any savings from the VAT cut to consumers.

VAT on menstrual products was abolished in January 2021 but the Government failed to recognise period underwear as menstrual products and classified them as garments. A petition has been started calling for a change to this classification, which had around 25,000 signatories at the time of writing.

Period underwear is becoming increasingly popular and is viewed as a more sustainable approach to self-care during periods. Highly-absorbent and made using anti-odour technology, period pants are designed to be worn instead of traditional menstrual products, such as towels and tampons, but can also be used as an added layer of protection.

Retailers and individuals backing the campaign say their use can help to vastly reduce waster with WUKA suggesting that one pair of period pants can save 200 single-use plastic disposables from going to landfill.

M&S, WUKA, Primark and Tesco back the campaign

In an open letter to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury Victoria Atkins (which was co-signed by numerous MPs and charities) Marks & Spencer said: "Period pants have the power to reduce plastic pollution and waste and they also have the potential to save people money in the long term as they can be worn, washed, and worn again, month after month. But, to make this a reality, we must start by making this brilliant alternative to disposable period products more accessible to more people."

Primark UK Retail Director Kari Rodgers said: “We are happy to get behind this important initiative and applaud M&S and WUKA for leading the charge. We believe that period pants should be as affordable and accessible to as many as possible and this small change will make a difference for many of our customers and colleagues. This campaign is about ensuring wherever you shop, you aren’t unfairly penalised when buying period products.”

Tesco group communications director Christine Heffernan added: “The cost of buying essential period products can be a real struggle for many people and that’s why Tesco became the first retailer to cover the cost of VAT on period products in 2017.

“We welcomed the government’s decision to abolish the ‘tampon tax’ on disposable period products in 2021.

“We’re now joining M&S and other retailers to urge the government to do the same for period pants helping to make this more sustainable option more affordable for customers.” 

Main image: period underwear at M&S