The Tampon Tax: Why Aren’t We Talking About Class?

In 2000, British MP Dawn Primarolo’s campaign to reduce the VAT on tampons and sanitary towels meant a reduction from 17.5% to 5%. Dubbed the ‘Tampon Tax’, recent attempts to scrap the tax altogether have not been successful, with 305 to 287 voting against the motion. Had motion been successful, the change would require unanimous agreement of all 28 European Union member states before the tax could be scrapped. Some argue that the move may increase the end cost to the consumer, because it would prevent manufacturers recovering manufacturing costs*.

Adequate nutrition, shelter and sanitation are perhaps the most basic human requirements that enable us to live with dignity. If the move were to increase the cost of tampons and sanitary products, this would be clearly counter-productive. Unlike menstruating women, men do not have any natural bodily function specific to their sex, which requires them to purchase specific products. In a society which strives for equality across class, gender, race and other differences, should women, by virtue of their natural bodily functions, have to pay extra costs for sanitation?

There’s an elephant in the room here: class. Women earn less than men, and women account for 92% of lone parents with dependent children*. The poorest women contending with these issues are already substantially more disadvantaged: an additional cost, solely on the basis of sex is therefore an unfair disadvantage. We need an equal playing field – if men don’t have to bear specific these costs, neither should women by virtue of their sex.

In order to equalise the playing field, the government needs to first consider the impact of paying for sanitary products on the poorest and most vulnerable women, let alone the ‘tampon tax’. If scrapping the ‘tampon tax’ will increase costs to the end user, the government should consider subsidising sanitary products minimise costs. Free condoms are available from the NHS, as is assistance with dental costs, eye care costs, wigs and fabric supports through the Low Income Scheme.

Considering the several support mechanisms in place for the most disadvantaged in our society, including free prescription medication, how can the government justify not providing the most disadvantaged women in our society with free sanitary products? If Britain strives to be a country that considers the plight of disadvantage based upon characteristics, then the government needs to re-consider its attitude to sanitary products – this will help us move towards to a model of equality that is more substantive.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34649495

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/family-demography/families-and-households/2011/sum-lone-parents.html