Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent representations he has made to the European Commission on the removal of VAT on sanitary products; and if he will make a statement.

The Government has frequent discussions with the European Commission on a wide range of issues.

Since 2001, the UK has applied a 5% reduced rate of VAT, the lowest permissible under EU law, to the supply of sanitary products.