This is a level beyond taking the piss.....

**original PM** · 21 November 2017, 09:31

Tampons and Towels are a luxury.

You can use a sanitary belt and reusable sanitary napkins...

apparently

**MrMarkyMark** · 21 November 2017, 09:35

Originally posted by Wilmslow View Post

I am going to invest in moon cups......

Tampon tax: How much have you spent? - BBC News

One of our friends in Brighton owns that company.

Yep, she has made quite a few quid out of the idea, which is a bloody good one IMO.

**original PM** · 21 November 2017, 09:45

Originally posted by MrMarkyMark View Post

One of our friends in Brighton owns that company.

Yep, she has made quite a few quid out of the idea, which is a bloody good one IMO.

Yes well done....

**meridian** · 21 November 2017, 09:46

In your lifetime you might spend £1,499.74 on products, £97.77 of which is on VAT.

Although I appreciate that these are necessities rather than luxury items, £100 over a lifetime doesn't seem to be that much to get worked up over?

**woohoo** · 21 November 2017, 10:18

Apparently, the only reason they are not zero-rated is because in the 1970s when joining the EEC the government had to decide products should have vat added. At the time tampons where not considered a necessity.

**scooterscot** · 21 November 2017, 10:19

Man I was enjoying a coffee before opening this thread.

**SueEllen** · 21 November 2017, 10:19

Originally posted by woohoo View Post

Apparently, the only reason they are not zero-rated is because in the 1970s when joining the EEC the government had to decide products should have vat added. At the time tampons where not considered a necessity.

Probably because the civil servants and ministers around at the time didn't know what they were due to the way they were educated.

**SueEllen** · 21 November 2017, 10:24

Originally posted by meridian View Post

Although I appreciate that these are necessities rather than luxury items, £100 over a lifetime doesn't seem to be that much to get worked up over?

The issue isn't women who can afford them it is the girls and women who can't.

Food banks and homeless shelters actually ask for sanitary products due to the cost.

Oh and the estimate is completely wrong for some woman like me.

**original PM** · 21 November 2017, 10:25

Originally posted by woohoo View Post

Apparently, the only reason they are not zero-rated is because in the 1970s when joining the EEC the government had to decide products should have vat added. At the time tampons where not considered a necessity.

And they were correct.

But it's a bit like saying bog roll is not a necessity as you can use your hand and then wash it.

This is a level beyond taking the piss.....