DEAR Mr Malthouse, as one of your constituents I am disheartened and appalled that you would think it is acceptable to vote against cutting the VAT added onto women’s sanitary products.

How can you represent half of your constituency if you do not understand that tampons and sanitary towels are not a “luxury”, but a necessity in order for women to be clean and hygienic during a natural bodily function?

“Luxury” is defined as: “a material object, service etc, conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity”.

There is nothing “sumptuous”

about having the lining of your womb shed every month. Nor is it a: “pleasure out of the ordinary allowed to oneself ”.

This is a tax on women’s bodies and a natural function we have no control or choice over, and you are tightening that control by continuing to endorse this unnecessary tax. Please tell me why men’s razors, edible cake decorations and Jaffa Cakes are deemed to be necessities as they are free from VAT but sanitary products are not?

On average, women will spend £18,450 on sanitary products in their lifetime, which is more than my current annual salary. How can this country claim to be a liberal democracy, when half of the population are being taxed for being born?

Another group of women and girls you have clearly forgotten about in your decision to vote against the cut, is the number of homeless females who cannot afford these necessary items. Why are you taking away their right to maintain their health?

I would appreciate a response detailing your reasons, other than towing the party line, why you find it completely acceptable to tax women, just for being women?

Georgina Campbell, Baughurst, near Tadley

 

Editor’s note: Razor blades attract the standard rate of 20 per cent vat