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4 Months Since Tampon Tax was Scrapped
But What Happens Now ?
Photo Credit : Pexels
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Written by Jessica Janes
Tampon tax was scrapped by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on the 1st of January 2021 .
However , with the tax originally coming into legislation in 1973 , people are now questioning whether sanitary products will ever be free , simply because it has taken so many years for the tax to be abolished .
Fleur Anderson , Labour MP for Putney , supported the campaign led by former Labour MP Paula Sheriff in 2016 , to cut tampon tax altogether .
“ I am delighted that the tampon tax has now been abolished but it should have never been there in the first place , and it should have never taken so many years to persuade MP ’ s that sanitary products are essential not luxuries ,” Anderson says .
Anderson believes that abolishing tampon tax has been “ a good opportunity to raise awareness about the issueand bring a lot
more people to support the campaign .” She continues : “ It ’ s a reminder of how far we have to go to achieve equality and women ’ s rights , and how long it takes to achieve change , but change does come .”
Anderson also campaigned against period poverty around the world for many years : “ Periods are a taboo , and all over the world girls miss out on education and women suffer as a result of rules and facilities being designed by men ,” she says .
“ It ’ s really important to talk about menstruation and periods as they should not be a taboo ,” Anderson expands .
Sindy Aubrey , 55 , a selfemployed cleaner and single mum from Wickford , Essex , is relieved the tampon tax has been scrapped .
“ With the pandemic going on I head for the pound shops for these essential items , but they should be free . Other stores are a lot more expensive as their prices have gone up considerably , which would mean me going over my monthly shopping budget per month ,” Aubrey explains .
Aubrey has always found sourcing period products a struggle due to having a low-income .
Now , her risk of developing complications from Covid-19 due to a pre-existing medical condition often leaves her with limited options for buying sanitary products as she either has to order products online or shop at smaller , less crowded supermarkets .
Anderson is unsure if sanitary products will ever be free , leaving those who menstruate and are on lowincome in a difficult position .
“ I don ’ t know the future plans for sanitary products and if they will ever be free , but abolishing the tampon tax has been a good opportunity to raise awareness about the issue ,” she states .