'Period pants tax' abolished: where to buy them for less

Period pants are no longer subject to Value Added Tax (VAT), meaning you might find them cheaper in the shops from now on. 

This comes three years after the government abolished the 'tampon tax' on other sanitary products in January 2021. 

Some retailers, including M&S, Primark and Tesco, have pledged to pass savings onto customers. The Treasury says this will reduce prices by up to £2. 

If you are thinking of giving period pants a try, make sure you check the label. Recent Which? research found high levels of silver in some period pants, which could have unknown negative health effects. 

Here, we look at how much you could save on period pants, and how to check if the pants you're buying are safe. 

How much could I save on period pants?

Before 1 January 2024, period pants were subject to the current standard VAT rate of 20%. Now, they're exempt from this. 

The amount you'll save will vary depending on how retailers set their prices. There's nothing forcing retailers to lower their prices – in theory, they could keep their prices the same and pocket the extra 20% if they wanted to. A £20 pair of period pants could still cost £20, but the Treasury wouldn't get a cut. 

However, the Treasury says some retailers have pledged to pass savings onto customers, reducing prices by an average of up to £2.

Retailers who have pledged to reduce prices include M&S, Primark and Tesco. 

You might also find savings buying directly from period pants brands' own websites. The WUKA website currently hosts a banner saying '🔥 VAT Removed - Save Additional 20% 🔥'.

Victoria McKenzie-Gould, corporate affairs director at Marks & Spencer, said: 'Paying tax on period pants was a bum deal for women everywhere so we’re thrilled that the Treasury has done the right thing by axing the tax and levelling the playing field on period products for good.

'Nearly 25% of women cite cost as a barrier to using period pants so we know the new legislation will make a big difference to women’s budgets across the UK.'

Are period pants safe?

Since this tax cut could make period pants cheaper, you might be thinking of switching to them for the first time. 

If you are, it's important to know what's in the pants you could be wearing. 

Our recent lab testing revealed notable levels of silver in pants from Bodyform, Luna, M&S and Thinx. While there's no legal limit on how much silver a product like this can contain, experts say it's at best unnecessary – and at worst may have as yet unknown health implications. 

Luckily, we did find several period pants brands that didn't use silver. 

Read our full investigation into the chemicals in period pants to get the bigger picture before you buy. 

• Find out more: are your period pants safe?

Are period pants more eco-friendly?

Period pants are marketed as a sustainable alternative to tampons and sanitary towels. 

As a rule, it's generally better for the environment if we reuse products rather than rely on single-use alternatives. In this sense, period pants are more sustainable than some other more conventional options. 

But although they are reusable, period pants don't last forever. Some brands tell you how long you can use them for – typically around two years, or 50-60 washes – but others don't give specifics. 

If period pants aren't for you, there are other eco-friendly period products on the market, such as menstrual cups, reusable pads and even disposable products made from greener ingredients.