Brexit LIVE: UK ditches ANOTHER hated tax just minutes after finally escaping EU rules
Boris Johnson signs Brexit trade deal with EU
European law had prevented member states from reducing the rate below 5 percent which meant the period products were treated as luxury items and not essentials. But the zero rate VAT on came into effect yesterday, the first day the laws no longer apply to the UK.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “I’m proud that we are delivering on our promise to scrap the tampon tax.
“Sanitary products are essential so it’s right that we do not charge VAT.”
Felicia Willow, chief executive of women’s rights charity the Fawcett Society, said: “We warmly welcome the scrapping of VAT on all sanitary products and congratulate the Government on taking this positive step.
“It’s been a long road to reach this point, but at last the sexist tax that saw sanitary products classed as non-essential, luxury items can be consigned to the history books.”
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The Treasury has estimated the move will save the average woman nearly £40 over her lifetime, with a cut of 7p on a pack of 20 tampons and 5p on 12 pads.
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7.30am update: Brexit boost for public sector recruitment
Boris Johnson has said he wants to see a public sector recruitment bonanza in 2021 as the UK battles to see off the coronavirus pandemic.
Border Force ranks have been beefed-up for Brexit preparations with around 900 additional operational staff were recruited in the 2019/20 financial year and a further 1,100 staff will be recruited by July.
A Downing Street spokesman said that Mr Johnson is set to call on those looking for a job or a career change to consider frontline public sector roles in 2021.
More than one million jobs are thought to have been lost as a result of restrictions brought in to control the spread of coronavirus.
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