Marks & Spencer has said the latest government response to making period pants free from VAT “isn’t enough” as its Say Pants to the Tax campaign continues to gain momentum.
The government responded to the petition for the first time yesterday and said it will keep the tax on period pants “under review”.
Marks & Spencer responded by saying that, until period pants are classified as a period product, the “playing field isn’t level”.
It also highlighted that period pants are “carefully engineered”, which makes them a unique product and sets them apart from regular knickers.
It was confirmed yesterday that Asda has become the latest retailer to lend its support, following in the footsteps of other retailers including Tesco, Primark, Sainsbury’s and Mountain Warehouse.
Marks & Spencer also confirmed it has joined Tesco in covering the cost of VAT on its period pants in order to “make things fairer, sooner” for shoppers.
Marks & Spencer said in a statement: “Following just two weeks of pant-tastic campaigning, for the first time ever, the government has said it’s keeping the tax on period pants under review. That’s all thanks to our amazing supporters. However, this still isn’t enough, so we’re not throwing in the knickers just yet!
“M&S, Wuka and our broad coalition of supporters – from retailers to charities, big and small – will continue to up the (p)ante to get this legislation changed so period pants are classified as they should be: a period product. Until this is the case, the playing field isn’t level!
“The government says that ‘exclusions are designed to ensure that reliefs are properly targeted and that under existing rules period pants may already qualify for the zero rate’, but this is only if they are for use by girls under the age of 14 years old. Which means the current rules ignore the majority of the population that need and use this product.
“It’s more important than ever that we say Pants to the Tax.”
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