Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what dates in each of the last three months officials of his Department have discussed the UK's plans for an exemption of VAT on sanitary products with the European Commission.

At March European Council, the Prime Minister secured the agreement of all Member States to European Council Conclusions which welcomed ‘the intention of the Commission to include proposals for increased flexibility for Member States with respect to reduced rates of VAT, which would provide the option to Member States of VAT zero rating of sanitary products‎'.

Following that meeting, the issue of a zero-rate of VAT on sanitary products was discussed on 17, 19 and 29 April and 10 May. Most recently, on 25 May, ECOFIN agreed Conclusions which called for a proposal ‘foreseeing an option to Member States of VAT reduced or zero rating for women’s sanitary products at the earliest opportunity’.