Nixi Body celebrates abolition of Period Pants Tax: A win for women’s health and the planet
Following the announcement that the abolition of VAT on period pants will be included in today’s Autumn Statement, Kelly Newton, co-founder of reusable leak-proof knicker brand, Nixi Body, says:
“Finally…! Whilst we can all agree that this is good news, we believe this is the absolute minimum women and those who bleed or leak should expect from Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt and The Government in 2023.
“Period pants are not fashion items, nor are they a luxury. They are essential items required by women to manage their everyday health effectively, comfortably and sustainably, so should have been made tax exempt alongside pads and tampons back in 2021.
“This is such an important development, not for the industry or manufacturers, but for consumers and for the planet.
“In today’s cost-of-living crisis, the issue of period poverty is on the rise, with around 21% of women and girls in the UK currently struggling to afford period care products.
“Tampons and pads are generally the more affordable option in the short term, but the cost over time (not only financially speaking but also to the planet and to people’s health) is far greater than making the switch to reusables.
“A saving of around £4 (a £22 pair of knickers comes down to £17.60; an £18 pair to £14.40) makes these products so much more accessible and will encourage people to make the choice to ditch disposables, diverting vast amounts of plastic-riddled single-use period products from our oceans and landfill.
“Better affordability will also help women benefit from an altogether more comfortable and reliable period or bladder leak solution that allows them to go about their day-to-day feeling confident, protected and empowered.
“Following an eternity of neglect and with a long way still to go, women’s health is clearly on the agenda, and we are cautiously excited about what this could mean for a future of increased equity for the female/menstruating/incontinent population.
“We applaud the ‘Say Pants to Tax’ campaign for its success to date and are celebrating this news today at Nixi Body. We will be passing the 20% saving straight onto our customers as soon as the measure becomes effective.”
Nixi Body, founded in 2019 by Kelly Newton, a mum and foster carer, is a British-born, leak-proof, reusable underwear brand designed to offer comfort and reliability during menstruation, motherhood, and menopause. Kelly’s personal experience with incontinence following a hysterectomy due to endometriosis led to the creation of Nixi Body, aiming to empower women by eliminating anxieties around leaks and promoting an open narrative to break down taboos and stigma.
The brand also addresses environmental concerns by diverting plastic waste from disposable period and incontinence products. Partnering with reproductive health specialist Coni Longden-Jefferson in 2021, Nixi Body’s products are now available in national Boots stores and various online platforms, providing a sustainable and reliable solution for women. Kelly Newton’s mission is not only to keep women active through menstruation, motherhood, and menopause but also to contribute to ending the shame associated with incontinence and menstrual health issues.
