LONDON (AP) – On Friday, Britain became the last country to abolish the so-called “tampon tax” by eliminating taxes on sales of women’s health products.
This action was widely praised by both women’s rights defenders and the country’s exit from the European Union.
Treasury chief Rishi Sunak had pledged to end the unpopular tax on sanitary pads and tampons in his budget in March, but the change could only take effect on Friday after Britain finally abandoned the economic orbit of the European Union.
Under EU law, nations cannot reduce the value-added tax rate on menstrual products below 5%, as they are considered to be luxury items and not essentials. Ireland is the only EU country that does not charge a tax on health products, as its zero tax rate was in place before the EU set its counterpart.
“Healthcare products are essential, so it’s right that we don’t charge VAT,” Sunak said. “We have already launched free healthcare products in schools, colleges and hospitals and this commitment brings us one step closer to making them available and affordable for all women.”
Britain officially abandoned the vast single market of the block for people, goods and services at 23:00 London time on Thursday, giving it greater scope to establish its own laws. A new trade deal between the UK and the EU will lead to new restrictions and bureaucracy, but for British Brexit supporters it means regaining EU national independence and its rules. They pointed to the abolition of the buffer tax as a first positive change from Brexit.
The British Treasury has previously estimated that the measure will save the average woman almost £ 40 ($ 55) over her lifetime.
“It’s been a long road to get to this point, but ultimately the sexist tax that considered health products classified as non-essential luxury items can be consigned to history books,” said Felicia Willow, head of the Fawcett Society, charity.
Many other countries have also eliminated the stamp duty, including Australia, Canada and India. In the United States, several states, including New York and Florida, have also abolished the tax.
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