Chijioke Iremeka
Society of Radiographers says bra (lingerie for the breast) is a ‘basic necessity’ for women just like menstrual products and demands that they should be free from Value Added Tax to improve women’s health.
The organisation is a professional body and trade union that represents over 90 per cent of the diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers (who carry out X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans) in the United Kingdom.
They raised a motion concerning the issue at SoRs’ Annual Delegates Conference held in Leeds, the UK, demanding the removal of VAT from bras.
“The imposition of VAT on bras disproportionately affects women. Taxing bras could be considered discriminatory as per the Equality Act, 2010,” the motion stated.
According to the delegate from Wales, Kevin Tucker, who proposed the motion, bras, like menstrual products are vital for women’s health.
He explained the importance of supporting women to purchase bras based on suitability rather than cost and called on the UK Council to lobby the government to remove the VAT.
The activist noted that the removal of the ‘tampon tax’ in January 2021 was an example of one such situation where VAT was removed from products related to women’s physical health.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that ‘tampon tax’ refers to luxury tax and other taxes levied on menstrual hygiene products in the U.S. and in many other countries across the world.
Tucker noted that women who have had breast cancer surgery, such as mastectomies or lumpectomies, are already exempted from VAT when buying certain bras.
According to the delegate, increased bra costs discourage women from buying well-fitted bras, saying that poor-fitting bras can cause physical pain.
“While there may not be any health conditions related to wearing a bra, there could be some musculoskeletal ones, particularly if you wear a larger cup size.
“Those who are wearing a bra size D or above often get backaches, aching shoulders, and neck pain, because of the weight of their breasts.
“Wearing a good-quality, well-fitted bra could alleviate some of these issues, and reduce time off sick for MSK issues,” the delegate added.
Speaking further, a delegate from Northern Ireland, Gill Hodges, explained that the topic had received coverage in the media and expressed her hopes that the motion would receive greater support and traction.
She emphasised that this was an equality issue, as “only people with breasts have to pay for VAT on bras.”
Hodges asked attendees at the ADC to support the motion to support patients.
PUNCH Healthwise learnt that in January, VAT on period pants was dropped following a two-year campaign by brands, retailers, women’s groups, and environmentalists dating back to 2021 when the ‘tampon tax’ was dropped from other period products such as pads, tampons, and menstrual cups.
The 20 per cent tax on period pants, which are designed to be worn as an alternative to using tampons and sanitary towels, had remained because they were classified as garments.
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