LONDON (AP) – The United Kingdom on Friday became the latest country to abolish the so-called “buffer tax” by eliminating sales taxes on women’s health products.
The measure was widely praised by women’s rights activists as well as supporters of leaving the country for the European Union.
Treasury chief Rishi Sunak has pledged to end the unpopular tax on tampons and sanitary pads in his budget in March, but the change could only take effect on Friday after Britain left the European Union’s economic orbit.
Under EU law, nations cannot reduce the rate of value added tax on menstrual products below 5%, as they are considered luxury items and not essentials. Ireland is the only EU country that does not charge a tax on health products, as its zero tax rate was in effect before the EU set its limit.
“Sanitary products are essential, so it’s fair not to tax VAT,” Sunak said. “We have already launched free health products in schools, colleges and hospitals and this commitment takes us one step closer to making them available and accessible to all women.”
Britain has officially left the block’s large single market for people, goods and services, at 23:00, Thursday, London time, giving him a greater scope to establish his own laws. A new UK-EU trade agreement will bring new restrictions and bureaucracy, but for British Brexit supporters it means claiming national independence from the EU and its rules. They indicated the abolition of the buffer tax as an early positive change from Brexit.
The UK Treasury previously estimated that the move would save the average woman almost £ 40 ($ 55) over her lifetime.
“It’s been a long road to this point, but in the end, the sexist tax that has seen health care products classified as non-essential luxury items can be inscribed in the history books,” said Felicia Willow, head of Fawcett, a charity. .
Many other countries have also eliminated the stamp duty, including Australia, Canada and India. In the United States, several states, including New York and Florida, have abolished the tax.
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