Brighton campaigner calls for scrap on tax for period pants

Ella Daish, who lives in Brighton, has said the government is “wrong” to not extend its VAT exemption to all menstrual products.

The 27-year-old said that while the government’s decision to abolish the five per cent rate of VAT on menstrual products, known as the period tax, is welcomed, it does not go far enough.

Ella Daish campaigns for sustainable period products to fight period poverty and the climate crisis

Alongside fellow campaigners and MPs, Ella is calling on the government to improve access to sustainable and economical period pants by scrapping VAT as it already has for pads and tampons.

Period pants are washable and reusable underwear designed to absorb blood and replace tampons and pads.

They are currently taxed at 20 per cent as they are considered a piece of clothing rather than a menstrual product.

Brighton-based Ella Daish wants to "stop the plastic wave"

Ella argues that ditching VAT on period pants would help to simultaneously tackle period poverty, the plastic crisis and protect the environment.

Ella said: “It is wrong that the UK government’s abolishment of VAT on menstrual products does not include period pants.

“They must get behind this call and take action by removing the tax to help make sustainable options economically viable for all who menstruate, so we can stem the tide of unnecessary waste.”

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Research by sustainable period pants brand WUKA revealed that a third (38 per cent) of women, trans and non-binary people who menstruate are facing period poverty during lockdown and should have easy access to the most economical options possible.

Meanwhile, WUKA found that 35 per cent of Brits worry that they won’t be able to afford menstrual products in another lockdown.

Ruby Raut, founder of WUKA, said that lockdown has made it “more important that ever” to “fight for accessible menstrual products for all.”

She said: “The abolishment of the tampon tax is something to be celebrated, but it is not enough.

“It’s essential for people who menstruate to have access to sustainable period products which are fairly taxed.

“We would like ministers to simply address this inequality and make period pants 0 per cent VAT along with disposable menstrual products in the new financial year.”

Chella Quint, founder of Period Positive, said she is concerned that the inaccessibility of sustainable period products will lead to continue the cycle of what she calls the “cycle of secrecy fear and shame” around periods.”

She said: “I worry that teachers, parents and members of the community I advise will be discouraged from trying them out.

“This unequal tax rule is an illogical and unnecessary barrier - the tax code needs to be brought up to date.”

To Sign WUKA’s petition, visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/323297/