Waitrose Becomes Second UK Supermarket To Cover Tampon Tax By Dropping Price Of Sanitary Products | HuffPost Life

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Life Editor at HuffPost UK

Waitrose has become the second UK supermarket to reduce the price of sanitary products in order to cover the cost of the “tampon tax” on behalf of customers.

Back in March 2016 George Osborne suggested the 5% levy on sanitary products would soon be scrapped, but due to Brexit holdups, it’s thought we could be now paying the tax until April 2018.

In the meantime, Waitrose has committed to reducing the cost of sanitary items by 5%, effectively removing the cost of VAT for its customers.

The move follows a similar announcement by Tesco last week.

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The 5% tax placed on sanitary products has long been controversial, due to the fact that the tax stems from products being classed as “luxury items”.

To add insult to injury, in April it was revealed that funds from the tax went towards funding an anti-abortion group.

Under the new scheme, Waitrose will lower the price of women’s sanitary products by 5% in its 355 UK stores and online over the course of this week.

The price drop will cover a total of 97 products, including tampons, sanitary towels and pantyliners.

The price cut will include both branded and own-label goods in a bid to make all sanitary products more affordable and tackle period poverty.

Commenting on the move, Michael Andrews, a spokesperson for Waitrose, said: “By covering the VAT cost and reducing the price by 5%, we are confident it will make a difference to our customers.”

Waitrose had previously committed to passing on VAT savings to customers if the Government’s proposed removal of VAT came into effect.

Its latest announcement appears to follow the lead of Tesco, which recently announced plans to cover the 5% tax on behalf of customers, calling sanitary products “essential items”.

Laura Coryton, leader of the ‘Stop Taxing Periods’ campaign who began the Change.org petition to abolish the “sexist” tax, welcomed the news.

Talking to HuffPost UK she said: “Tesco’s new period scheme is a bold and brave one. Reducing their period products by 5% to cover tampon tax not only helps our protest against the sexist tax, but it also helps to fight period poverty across the UK, too. I hope to see more retailers following their groundbreaking footsteps. Period.”

11 Questions Women Have About Their Periods

Why Is My Period Heavy?(01 of11)

According to Dr. Suzanne Wong of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto, and associate professor at the University of Toronto Department of Medicine, there a several reasons as to why you can get an extremely heavy period. "Periods can be heavy in women with a diagnosis of uterine fibroids or polyps or a thickened uterus called Adenomyosis," Wong tells The Huffington Post Canada.
Heavy bleeding has also been associated with a genetic bleeding condition called "von willebrand’s disease" in adolescence. Both scenarios should be examined by your doctor.
Perimenopausal hormone shifts can also cause heavy bleeding in women between the ages of 41 and 51. Wong notes that periods during perimenopause may also be irregular before they cease all together. (credit:Amy Guip via Getty Images)

Why Is My Period Too Light?(02 of11)

Unlike extremely heavy periods, which can signal other health issues, light periods aren't as much of a concern. "The normal amount of bleeding is variable and ranges from light to heavy depending on the woman," Wong explains. As long as your periods are regularly occurring (every 23 to 35 days) there should be no concern. "If the amount of flow changes to become lighter it may represent a slight hormonal shift that is probably of no significance," Wong says. (credit:Piotr Marcinski via Getty Images)

Why Is My Period Late?(03 of11)

If pregnancy is not a possibility, a late period can usually be explained by a hormonal change. Factors like changes in weight, emotional stress, eating disorders, high performance athletics or having polycystic ovarian disease can cause women to have a delayed or missed period.
"If you miss one period, this means that you did not ovulate that month and there should be no concern if they return to a normal pattern," Wong notes.
If you aren't already keeping track of your period, Wong recommends getting a calendar or an app to do so. That way, if your periods are late (occurring at intervals greater than 35 days) persistently over six months, you'll know and be able to show your doctor. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)

Why Is My Period Early?(04 of11)

Just like late periods, early periods usually have a hormonal cause including stress, polycystic ovarian disease or thyroid hormone abnormality, says Wong.
And abnormal spotting or bleeding can also be mistaken for an earlier period — if you are concerned, check with your doctor. (credit:LuminaStock via Getty Images)

Why Is My Period Brownish In Colour?(05 of11)

Brown coloured blood is common during the final days of your period. According to Wong, this is a result of the blood that has been settled in the uterus being expelled. (credit:gpointstudio via Getty Images)

Why Did I Miss My Period?(06 of11)

"Missing a solitary period is likely from a temporary hormonal imbalance, usually caused by stress," says Wong. But birth control methods like the pill, patch, ring and IUD can also cause very light or non-existent bleeding.
If your periods become regular again after a missed period, then there should be no cause for alarm. However, if you regularly miss periods or have an irregular bleeding pattern, you could be experiencing hormonal issues caused by stress, abnormal thyroid levels, or polycystic disease.
As a reminder, if your period is irregular you should consult your doctor.
(credit:Marjan_Apostolovic via Getty Images)

Why Is My Period Lasting More Than Seven Days?(07 of11)

Periods can last anywhere between two and seven days, but anything more than this is considered a prolonged period.
"If you have periods lasting more than seven days on a regular basis, you should contact your doctor," says Wong.
Prolonged periods are often associated with heavy periods, and can lead to iron deficiency anemia that will affect your overall health.
(credit:gldburger via Getty Images)

Why Am I Getting My Period Twice, While On The Pill?(08 of11)

According to Wong, this is actually a normal side effect of starting a new birth control pill, especially on that is low dose and is referred to as "break through bleeding."
If this is happening in the middle of the cycle, then it is likely hormonal and of no concern. But if it persists more than three months, Wong recommends seeing a doctor to adjust your medication and rule out other causes such as uterine/cervical polyps, and infection.
It is also advised to get an updated pap smear and cervical cancer screening in this scenario. (credit:SCIENCE SOURCE via Getty Images)

Why Did I Start Spotting Early?(09 of11)

Spotting can be a side effect of being on a birth control pill, or using a copper IUD, Wong explains.
Spotting can be due to infections (STDs) and, or more concern, a sign of cervical cancer.
Harmless causes of vaginal spotting between periods can also include polyps on the cervix or a condition called "cervical ectropion," which are sensitive cells that protrude on the exposed surface of the cervix and are prone to infection and abrasions, Wong explains.
Your doctor should be able to detect both of these conditions during a pap smear.
(credit:Dorling Kindersley via Getty Images)

Why Am I Clotting?(10 of11)

"Clotting can be a sign that your periods are very heavy," says Wong. (Check out the heavy periods section for more information). (credit:PhotoAlto/Odilon Dimier via Getty Images)

Why Am I Pooping A Lot More?(11 of11)

During your period, the lining of your uterus produces a natural chemical called prostaglandins, Wong says. Prostaglandins causes small contractions of the uterus to help shed the lining during your period which can cause cramping. It also affects the intestines and can increase movement of the bowel, which results in more frequent bowel movements and sometimes, diarrhea. (credit:Vast Photography via Getty Images)

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