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This petition was submitted during the 2019 to 2024 Parliament

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Closed Reduce the VAT on reusable menstrual products "Period Pants" from 20% to 0%

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In January 2021 the Government removed the VAT on menstrual products but failed to include period pants which continue to be taxed at 20%. The Government classifies them as a garment.

The tax code must be brought up to date in line with tampons, pads, cloth pads and menstrual cups (taxed at 0%)

This tax is making an environmentally and financially sustainable alternative more expensive.

Disposable products can contain up to 90% plastic and have 5-6 times more carbon footprint than period pants. To reduce period poverty and tackle the climate emergency, the Government must act to make this sustainable option more accessible

We call on Treasury to simply address this inequality and make Period Pants 0% VAT along with disposable menstrual products, for the planet and for people.

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  • Related activity

    VAT on period pants to be scrapped

    The Government has said that the zero rate of VAT on Women's Sanitary Products will include period underwear from January 2024.

    The announcement was made as part of the Government's "Autumn Statement".

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    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 25 October 2022.