General Chat

Have just heard that we pay tax on condoms as they are classed as a 'luxury'! Surely something that prevents STDs, HIV and pregnancies is a necessity not a luxury??

Becx I thought they gave them away at the local clinic (well to kids anyway).. But your so right, not a luxury but a must! Debs x

Embrace, If the job of monitoring the cows comes up then im not applying!! Debs x

How Ridiculous! I do know that they are free at family planning clinics and youth clubs, as I used to work with youths, and they are freely available at the local youth club here Maz x

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that we pay VAT at the lowest rate (5%) on tampons, towels etc. We used to pay the full 17.5% (only a MALE Chancellor could consider such goods luxuries!!)

Rebs - Here sanitary goods are exempt from tax. Yes you can get condoms from your local Family Planning Clinic or GP but most people my age would rather go into a chemist/supermarket and buy them if and when needed. Re: Harry's thread, maybe the government are encouraging young people to have oral and anal sex with the hope that they'll buy more condoms???? Becx

The issue of tax on sanitary was raised in house of commons some time ago and some wonderful (male) MP said that women had a choice wether to buy these items and if we didn't want to pay tax we could always use rags like our grandmothers!!!!!!!!!!!! That might be when they reduced the amount of vat.

Sheila - whoops... thought we didn't pay any! Will find out!

WE DO PAY TAX on sanitary products!?!?!

Think its correct to say that yes we do pay a tax on feminine protection items - but get this...I believe that razor blades are exempt..... so our items girls are a luxury whereas its absolutely vital that men(being the biggest users of razor blades?) keep close shaven.huh? wot are they on? Lucy x

I think I'm due a rebate

Lucy - it's a bloody joke! This country is an absolute mess and I'll give you a clue as to why this might be... look who's running our country...

*falls off chair laughing at Paul* Gwynne

Paul - PMSL

Trouble is Becx the tax was higher when the country was being run by a female Tory............. so we can't win!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just thought.................. the country has been in a mess for years regardless who's been running it.................. but we've not had a female Labour PM yet............. so maybe there's still hope!!!!

'Why is having sex like having a bank account?' 'The more you put in, the more interest you get' **Andy now leaves the room**

On the subject of bovine flatulence (see earlier in this eclectic thread), one petfood manufacturer claims to have done 'the first scientific study of canine rectal gases'. The mutt wears a coat which measures frequency and strength of emission, and the researcher rates it on a scale of 1= no odour to 5= unbearable. Apparently they claim that supplemented treats caused an 86% reduction in 'bad or unbearable episodes'. Ladies, can you envisage any domestic application of this seminal research?

Andy - PMSL

We used to find them usful over the muzzles of our Rifles and such in the Jungle. Hal.

Did you hear about the Irishman who thought VAT 69 was a tax on sex?