This comic has been circulating heavily on social media:
The world according to the UK government:
- Men’s razors are taxed as necessities because you need to avoid stubble
- Women’s sanitary products are taxed as luxuries because you don’t need to avoid getting covered in your own blood
I think the tax on tampons is true but the bit about razors being VAT-free as an essential strikes me as being unlikely. Googling it finds claims from both sides:
I recognise that razors are zero-rated, and judging by many Conservative Members the opportunity to shave every day is a human right. —Stella Creasy MP
Are razors (specifically men's razors if there's any difference) really VAT-free in the UK?