The Abolishment of the Period Pants Tax: Everything Wrong with the Government’s Attempt to Do Right
On 1st January 2024, the government announced that they were abolishing the tax on period pants in the UK, following demands from retailers, women’s groups and environmentalists to enforce this into law. As a result, menstruators can now purchase these reusable pants, which can be used as an alternative to single-use period products, for up to £2 cheaper.
This change is a victory for all those involved in the inspirational campaign ‘Say Pants To Tax’, and for customers who now have access to these essential products for a lesser cost. It is a measure, however, that has been introduced three years too late.
For all the government’s talk about enforcing measures to combat climate change and help save the planet, the fact that there has been a three-year delay between the abolition of tax on disposable period products and reusable period pants emphasises that sustainability is not a priority. The only difference between now and 2021 is that the state of our planet has deteriorated, but that is not to say that the climate crisis wasn’t a prominent issue three years ago. Whilst disposable pads and tampons can contain up to 90% plastic and take up to 500 years to break down according to Life Cycle Initiative, period underwear is renowned for having significantly less of an impact on the environment. Therefore, the people leading our government should champion these products, rather than only in 2024 making them somewhat more accessible for members of the public.
I also worry that in finally making this much-needed change and enforcing it into law, the government will become complacent, putting their feet up and pushing any menstruation-related issues to the back of their mind. It doesn’t help that when we look at the current cabinet selected by the Prime Minister, women are the exception, not the norm. How can we expect the tackling of period poverty to be at the forefront of their minds when two-thirds of these politicians don’t even menstruate? Although there have been some promising measures introduced, such as the Period Products Scheme which provides school pupils with period products when they require them, this should be extended to all schools, universities and public spaces across the UK, as has already been implemented in Scotland.
What is even more concerning is the fact that the decision to scrap the period pants tax didn’t even arise from within the government - it instead came as a result of a letter labelled ‘Say Pants to the Tax’, launched by Marks & Spencer and Wuka, and signed by various retailers and women’s groups across the country. This raises the question of whether this policy would have been considered by the government without the call to action.
Rishi Sunak’s government need to demonstrate that they are taking period poverty seriously. Although the abolishment of the period pants tax is a step in the right direction, there is still so much to be done to ensure that period products are widely available for every single menstruator who needs them. Periods aren’t a choice, they’re a reality which millions of menstruators across the UK are faced with each month, and it is time the government finally acknowledged this.
Further reading:
“Say Pants to the Tax.” Marks and Spencers, https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/media/say-pants-tax#component-entity-35815
“Menstrual products and sustainable alternative reports.” Life Cycle Initiative, 2021, https://www.lifecycleinitiative.org/menstrual-products-and-sustainable-alternatives-report-2021/
“Period products scheme for schools and colleges.” Gov.uk, 7 Sep. 2023, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/period-products-in-schools-and-colleges/period-product-scheme-for-schools-and-colleges-in-england#:~:text=colleges%2Din%2Dengland-,Overview,19%20education%20organisations%20in%20England