"We would absolutely remove that 5% – and it's not difficult to do"

Tuesday 22 August 2023

The head of one of the island's largest retailers has hit back at the Chief Minister over a claim that supermarkets wouldn't necessarily cut the cost of period products if her Government removed the 'tampon tax'.

Defending her decision to scrap a previous commitment to remove GST on period products, Deputy Kristina Moore had argued that removing GST was “a saving which experience shows retailers might never pass on to islanders".

In response to her comment, Mark Cox, Chief Executive Officer of the Channel Islands Co-operative tweeted: "We would have no hesitation in passing the reduction if GST was removed."

Speaking to Express, he elaborated: "Channel Island Co-op has always had a long-held view that GST shouldn't be applied to basic products that are essential for islanders, including food and period products."

He continued: "It's frustrating when comments express that retailers wouldn't pass GST savings on, but we would absolutely remove that 5% – and it's not difficult to do, from a system point of view.

"It's not complicated at all, and we would be happy to support that removal."

Pictured: Mr Cox went on to say that it was "morally wrong" that period products are taxed (Dave Ferguson).

He added: "We recognise what the government has done and offered free products, but there is a need for both these reforms.

"The same applies for food, with foodbanks those who can't afford it now have an avenue to access those. But there's still a need for tax to be removed off period products."

The debate over period tax was reignited in early August when Treasury Minister Ian Gorst put forward a proposition which would rescind an earlier States Assembly decision to scrap period tax, and explained that Ministers felt they have "surpassed" this aim by providing free products in some locations around the island instead.

Deputy Lyndsay Feltham described the decision as "disappointing" and said it was "concerning that the Chief Minister can change her principles so quickly".

The Chief Minister then responded, saying that the fact her Government had helped provide free menstrual products "at more than 14 locations across Jersey" was a "more effective way to address period poverty than removing GST".