Removing tax from sanitary products 'pointless'

Removing tax from sanitary products 'pointless'Image caption, Senator Elaine Millar says removing tax from sanitary products is "pointless"ByGeorgina BarnesJerseyPublishedJust nowRemoving tax from period products in Jersey's shops would be "pointless", the social security minister says.Elaine Millar said the government had spent more than £500,000 on its free period product scheme since it began four years ago.Campaigners and islanders said the scheme was still not good enough because those buying the items themselves still had to pay a goods and services (GST) tax. However, Miller said removing GST would not be "effective" and anyone with affordability issues could "use the free scheme".Jersey still remains the only place in the British Isles to charge tax on its sanitary products. It was close to being removed in 2022 when politicians voted to remove the 5% GST.More news stories for JerseyListen to the latest news for JerseyAttributionSoundsThe government began its free product scheme in October 2022, providing sanitary items in a range of locations including public toilets and government buildings.In exchange, it reversed its decision to remove the GST.Millar said there was no need to remove tax from products in the shops as people could get them for free instead.She said: "If you look at simple facts, simple maths, if you're spending £5 a month on sanitary products, taking GST off, if the saving was passed on, would save you 25 pence. "With free products, you're saving £5 because you're getting the entire product free."I don't think it would be effective and, if people have issue with affordability and accessibility, we have resolved that by the free product scheme."The only goods and services which are exempt from GST are: financial services, insurance, postal services, medical supplies, medicines on prescription, supplies by charities, registered child​care, some bur...