‘Tampon Tax’ scrapped

Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley has welcomed news tonight that a deal has been reached with the European Commission that will see an end to the ‘tampon tax’.

Since her election in May, Angela has campaigned for an end to the 5% luxury rate on the basis the tampons are an essential item.

Most recently, Angela issued the Prime Minister with a ‘check-list’ to improve gender-equality in the UK. The list included the removal of the ‘tampon tax’ from sanitary products.

But up until this point, the Government have refuted campaigners efforts, insisted the tax could only be abolished with the permission of the European Commission.

Welcoming the news, Angela said:

“To classify tampons as a luxury product, and tax them as such, is unbelievable.

“Particularly when we consider the fact that Jaffa cakes, flapjacks, crocodile meat and alcoholic jellies are taxed as essential items.

“This deal between the UK and the EU is a victory for common sense, and I congratulate all those that have signed petitions, lobbied their MPs and wrote to Government Ministers.

“We should be proud to have been part of the campaign that pressured the Government to act, and I’m glad that everyone’s efforts have finally put an end to this unjust tax on an absolutely necessary item.