[tax] & [feminism] So the #tampontax. How much does it cost women? The govt (@HMRCgovuk ) publish these things called Tax Impact and Information Notes on new tax policies. They published one on the proposal to reduce VAT on period products from 5% to 0 gov.uk/government/pub…
Their estimate is that that the 5% tax raises £15m . This would mean that women in the UK are spending £315m a year on sanpro.
They say there are 18m women of childbearing age.
So that suggests £17.50 on average per year spent.
Of which 88p is the #tampontax
They say there are 18m women of childbearing age.
So that suggests £17.50 on average per year spent.
Of which 88p is the #tampontax
If the tampon tax had stayed at 20% it would have cost us each on average £3.50 each per year, making our total average tampon bill £20 per year
£20 per year is not a material amount to anyone's welfare.
£3.50 a year even less so.
88p? Why are we still talking about this?
£20 per year is not a material amount to anyone's welfare.
£3.50 a year even less so.
88p? Why are we still talking about this?
Of course women in prison & relying on foodbanks need sanpro alongside other essentials . Schools should be on the lookout for neglect.
But for the vast majority, even w lowest income sanpro is something we can go and buy w ordinary dignity and choice.
But for the vast majority, even w lowest income sanpro is something we can go and buy w ordinary dignity and choice.
Make a list of your policy priorities on poverty in the UK. How far up does saving all women 88p come? Or even saving the poorest women £20 a year?
Make a list of priorities for feminism & do the same.
Make a list of priorities for feminism & do the same.
Yet "period poverty" is a fashionable campaigning priority to which govt and civil society attention is being put ....
Dozens of new young organisations have been formed to solve this 'problem' and established organisations like @PlanUK and @fawcettsociety have jumped on board.
Fawcett's conference covered period poverty but not difficult topics like self ID, porn..
Fawcett's conference covered period poverty but not difficult topics like self ID, porn..
Questioning this gets you a "how very dare you" & "you must hate poor women" response.
That is not healthy. When govt bodies & charities are spending money & directing attention at an issue, it is right we ask how they understand it & how they are going to measure success
That is not healthy. When govt bodies & charities are spending money & directing attention at an issue, it is right we ask how they understand it & how they are going to measure success
The gov is procuring a national contract (!) to deliver sanpro to secondary schools
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-seeks-comp…
With no idea of the scale of need or demand, or whether a new distribution system for a readily available product is a good idea (it isnt, its utterly stupid)
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-seeks-comp…
With no idea of the scale of need or demand, or whether a new distribution system for a readily available product is a good idea (it isnt, its utterly stupid)
But don't talk about this or you will be called a barrage of names meant to make you feel shame.
I am not saying that people campaigning against #periodpoverty & #tampontax are doing it in bad faith. But good intentions are not enough.
Analysis, evidence & evaluation are crucial. Single issue campaigns led with enthusiasm are always at risk of getting it wrong.
Analysis, evidence & evaluation are crucial. Single issue campaigns led with enthusiasm are always at risk of getting it wrong.
Established orgs should not just be cheerleaders.
If the evidence says it turns out this isn't the big issue it appears at first glance then we should revise our priors and priorities.
If the evidence says it turns out this isn't the big issue it appears at first glance then we should revise our priors and priorities.
