This photo shows the general prices of branded tampons today. Non-branded tampons are usually low quality and shorter lasting.
Tampons are a need so naturally people will prioritise them in their spending, and high demand will be sustained. This will raise the cost of living for people with periods even further in this cost of living crisis.
When the current Prime Minister (Rishi Sunak) was Chancellor, it was decided that the 5% VAT on tampons would be scrapped in an attempt to reduce period poverty.
However, when this took effect in January 2021, many businesses did not fully lower their prices to what they would be without the VAT, and instead kept the extra profit for themselves. This defeats the purpose of getting rid of the tampon tax as many retailers are not passing on the benefit to customers.
With inflation’s continuous rapid increase over the last years, prices of tampons have risen, but it seems they have risen above the rate of inflation, meaning that businesses are making even more profit they do not need off of a basic female need.
This creates an imbalance against an already economically and socially oppressed group of people, reducing economic equality.
