Tampon tax cut welcome but more work needed to end period poverty - BCU

More is needed to end 'period poverty ' following the Government 's decision to abolish the so-called 'tampon tax '.

That 's the view of Gemma Williams (pictured), a research fellow at Birmingham City University 's Centre for Social Care, Health and Related Research and is a member of the UK Government 's Period Poverty Taskforce.

The Government abolished the five per cent rate of VAT on period products from January 1.

But Ms Williams says more action is needed to change perceptions around the subject of period poverty.

She said: “While the removal of the tampon tax is a welcome step, more needs to be done to end what we term 'period poverty '.

“Poverty does not just equate to 'lack of finances ' when we talk about periods. Menstrual health education, inclusive practices and product accessibility are also factors that need to be improved within the UK to tackle the underlying stigma and shame that exists around menstruation.

“The fact that policy makers deemed period products as luxury and not essential items - hence the tax - was indicative of the archaic attitudes that existed towards menstruation and women generally, and the symbolism of the Government abolishing a tax imposed by EU law has also not gone unnoticed.

“It is important to add as well that the new 'tampon tax ' removal does not apply to reusable products such as period pants and menstrual cups even though these are also essential items that allow women, girls and people who menstruate to manage their menstrual health and wellbeing.

“This is particularly significant during the current pandemic and we 're currently researching the impact that Covid-19 is having on those experiencing period poverty, and the work being done by charities, voluntary groups and other bodies to support them.

“When talking to those within the menstruation education, health, policy, and advocacy sectors that have been delivering services during this time, the usefulness of reusable period products comes up again and again - particularly during lockdown and school closure times when accessing products is more difficult.

“One of the aims of the Period Poverty Taskforce, which we at Birmingham City University are pleased to be part of, is to shift perceptions around menstruation and it now needs to build upon the progressive step of abolishing the tampon tax by addressing wider issues around education, inclusion and accessibility. ”