Conservative group accused of mocking tampon tax issue

The argument was sparked following the introduction of a motion by Labour’s Cllr Debbie Newall to ask the government for clarity on ending VAT on sanitary products and where the money collected was being spent.

Cllr Newall called it a “punitive tax on women” and pointed out stamps and Jaffa Cakes are VAT exempt. She said: “These products are not a luxury and menstruation is not optional.” She added if men had periods sanitary products would not be taxed.

Later Labour’s Cllr Anna-Marie Watters added that Viagra and chocolate body sauce were exempt from VAT.

Conservative councillor Martyn Cox said: “When I first glanced at this motion I had high hopes, at last after 13 years of sitting in this chamber a Labour motion asking for a tax cut. Further examination of research brought the same old disappointments.

“Firstly, there’s no such thing as a tampon tax. Cllr Newall has slipped into that oh so progressive notion of misnaming taxes and therefore misleading rather than enlightening the public. What Cllr Newall is referring to is the VAT levy on sanitary products and the fact it is VAT is significant.”

He went on to explain that the value added tax would remain until we left the EU and added there was “good news” on that front.

Cllr Wilkinson called it a “tax on dignity” and said the Liberal Democrats would support the motion. He went on: “Actually Martyn some of the joke you tried to make of this is stupid and a disgrace... Somethings do not deserve mockery and ridicule.”

Conservative Cllr Zoe Kirk-Robinson argued that the government was stuck collecting the tax and was spending the money on women’s charities. She added: “For your mocking remarks about ‘if men had periods the tax wouldn’t exist’ well some men do. Transgender men do have periods and they have to pay this tax too.”

Conservative councillors disputed the issue had been mocked and Labour councillors including Labour leader Linda Thomas argued they had.

The motion was carried.