PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Sanitary Products: VAT (17 March 2015)

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will propose at an EU level (a) a review of the EU's classification of women's sanitary products as luxury items and (b) an end to the 5 per cent tax rate on such items.

Asked by:
Dame Caroline Dinenage (Conservative)

Female sanitary products are not classified as luxury items. Indeed, a reduced rate of VAT of 5 per cent currently applies to female sanitary products. This has been in place since 2001 and is the lowest rate possible under EU law.

Answered by:
Mr David Gauke (Independent)
19 March 2015