^{By Victoria McKenzie-Gould, Corporate Affairs Director} 

We’ve just watched the Autumn Statement avidly from the Waterside Support Centre and we’re delighted that the Chancellor has officially levelled the playing field across period products so that, from January 2024, period pants will be VAT free.

In 2021 the Government removed the ‘Tampon’ Tax’ so that products like tampons, pads, and menstrual cups stopped incurring VAT. However, period pants, a more sustainable alternative to single-use plastic disposables, were classified as a garment and so remained exempt from this legislation. When we looked into it, our customers had paid more than £1.8 million in VAT on period pants in that period, so – as the UK’s biggest retailer of knickers - we got involved and partnered up with WUKA to lend our voice and say ‘Pants To The Tax’ to remove VAT from period pants.

In just over 100 days, tens of thousands of people have come together to support the campaign. From the UK’s biggest knicker retailers and independent period pant brands to cross-party MPs, celebrities, fantastic charities including Wellbeing of Women and Bloody Good Period, and our 65,000 colleagues. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support.

So, thank you for making sure the Chancellor said ‘pants to the tax’ today.

#NotJustAnyTeam