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Public letter calling upon the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to reclassify period pants as a period product now has 70 signatories, including Sainsbury’s, Mountain Warehouse, and reusable period product and bodycare business, Earthwise Girls
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More than 26,000 people have signed the supporting petition
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M&S to cover cost of VAT across its range of period pants the day before Government is due to respond to the petition
Since launching Say Pants to the Tax two weeks ago, Marks & Spencer and WUKA’s campaign to level the playing field on period products by making period pants free from VAT continues to gather the support of politicians, charities, and businesses.
Sainsbury’s and Mountain Warehouse are the latest to back the campaign, with both retailers committing to pass on the cost saving to customers if VAT is removed. Earthwise – a reusable period product business - has also put its name to the campaign.
And, from tomorrow [Thursday 23 August], M&S will cover the cost of VAT from across its period pants range as it awaits a response from Government, due the following day [Friday 24 August]. Customers will see the new lower prices* reflected at checkout in store and online.
Victoria McKenzie-Gould, Corporate Affairs Director at M&S, said: “More than 26,000 people have now signed the petition and it’s fantastic to see two other major retailers – Sainsbury’s and Mountain Warehouse - join our campaign with WUKA, as well as fantastic charities; momentum is building! As we get nearer to the 100,000 mark on the petition our campaign will continue so that we say pants to this tax and level the playing field so whatever period product someone chooses to use, it is VAT free. From tomorrow we are going to cover the cost of VAT on period pants to make things fairer, sooner for our customers, and encourage the Government to do the right thing ahead of the deadline for their response.”
Christine Kasoulis, Clothing, Home and Furniture Director at Sainsbury’s, said: “We want our customers to be empowered by freedom of choice in the types of period products they use and for many, price can be a barrier. Period pants are an innovative and sustainable solution, and we stand with M&S and WUKA against the unfair price premium currently in place. We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer and are always looking to do the right thing for our customers and colleagues.”
Since the campaign began, charities including Freedom4Girls, Wellbeing of Women and Bloody Good Period have put their name to the letter, as well as MPs and peers across all parties; and retailers Tesco and Primark.
Find out more about the campaign and where to sign the petition here. Imagery can be downloaded here.
M&S has pledged to pass the entirety of the cost saving onto customers which means a three pack of period knickers that currently retail at £20 will have a new lower price of £16.
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Product |
Cost with VAT |
Cost with 20% promos |
|---|---|---|
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5 pack bundle |
£35 |
£28 |
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3 pack super-heavy |
£25 |
£20 |
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3 pack (lace), 3 pack no VPL, 2 pack sleep |
£22 |
£17.60 |
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3 pack |
£20 |
£16 |
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