Retail Giants Join Forces to Challenge Government’s Classification of Period Pants as Taxable Clothing

  • Tesco becomes first retailer to cover VAT on period pants
  • M&S and Wuka launch ‘Say Pants to the Tax’ campaign with over 22,000 signatures
  • Government classes period pants as a garment, taxed like regular clothing

Tesco has become the first retailer to cover the cost of Value Added Tax (VAT) on its period pant offering, following a campaign by M&S and Wuka called ‘Say Pants to the Tax’. The move comes after sanitary products have been VAT-free since 2021. Tesco has reduced the price of its period pants by 20% – the current cost of VAT in the UK. Christine Heffernan, communications director at Tesco, said: ‘We know that the cost of buying essential period products can be a real struggle for many people.’ Victoria McKenzie-Gould, corporate affairs director at M&S, added: ‘Building such strong support in just one week must show the Government that making this simple change is important to people across the UK. Our next goal is 100,000 signatures and we’re continuing to ask everyone to add their voice to the overwhelming support we’ve already seen.’

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about Tesco’s decision to cover VAT on period pants and mentions a joint campaign by M&S and Wuka called ‘Say Pants to the Tax. It also includes quotes from representatives of both companies and their goals for the petition.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about Tesco covering VAT on period pants and mentions a joint campaign by M&S and Wuka. It also includes quotes from representatives of these companies. However, it could benefit from more in-depth analysis or discussion on the broader implications of this decision and the ongoing efforts to change government classification of period products.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Tesco, M&S, and Primark are impacted as they are involved in the campaign to reduce the cost of period products.
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses Tesco’s decision to cover VAT on period pants, which impacts their financial costs. It also mentions other retailers like M&S and Primark joining the campaign, potentially affecting their sales and financial decisions.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article, but Tesco and M&S are taking action to reduce the cost of period pants by covering VAT. This shows a positive effort towards making sustainable products more affordable for customers.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk