 Tesco has become the first retailer in the UK to cover the VAT cost on its range of period pants. It follows an industry campaign calling on the government to axe the 20% tax on the product, which is currently classed as underwear. Other period products have been exempt from VAT since 2021. The cut in price, which the retailer said will be permanent, affects all eight lines of Tesco's own-brand F&F period pants. A three-pack now costs £14.40 instead of £18 and a single pack of pants has been reduced from £7.50 to £6. Marks & Spencer wrote an open letter to the financial secretary, in partnership with period underwear brand Wuka earlier this month, calling for the removal of VAT from the pants. Tesco group communications director Christine Heffernan said: 'We know that the cost of buying essential period products can be a real struggle for many people. Other sustainable period products such as cups and reusable pads are exempt from VAT but period pants are taxed as underwear (Picture: Getty) 'And we want to do our bit to help by covering the cost of VAT on period pants, helping to make this more sustainable option more affordable for customers. 'We were the first retailer to cover the cost of VAT on period products in 2017 and we're proud to be helping customers again by covering the cost of VAT on period pants now, to make them that bit more affordable.' Period pants feature layered, absorbent, non-leaking fabric in the gusset area and can be washed and reused like normal underwear. They are seen as much less wasteful than disposable period products. You can sign a petition calling on the government to remove VAT on all period pants in the UK. Want to know more about period pants? Check out our handy guide. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Tesco has become the first retailer in the UK to cover the VAT cost on its range of period pants.
It follows an industry campaign calling on the government to axe the 20% tax on the product, which is currently classed as underwear.
Other period products have been exempt from VAT since 2021.
The cut in price, which the retailer said will be permanent, affects all eight lines of Tesco’s own-brand F&F period pants.