GEORGE Osborne yesterday announced that £15 million raised by taxing sanitary products will be spent directly on charities that help women who have suffered violence and abuse.
Speaking at the spending review, the Chancellor responded to a recent campaign to abolish the five per cent VAT – dubbed the tampon tax – that is levied on women’s sanitary products.
Osborne said he was committed to changing the EU law that demands the tax and said in the meantime that the £15m it raises would be directed to women’s refuges and domestic abuse charities.
He said: “The first £5m will be distributed between the Eve Appeal, SafeLives and Women’s Aid and the Haven – and I invite bids from other such good causes.”
SNP MP Alison Thewliss tweeted: “Very glad the proceeds from tampon tax will be made available to women’s aid charities. Proud to kick this debate off in Finance Bill Committee.”
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