Jersey's social security minister, Elaine Millar, has declared that scrapping the 5% GST on sanitary products would be 'pointless,' because the government has already spent over £500,000 on a free period product scheme since it launched four years ago. Campaigners and locals argue the scheme doesn't go far enough, as anyone buying their own supplies still gets hit with the tax. Millar's counter-argument: just use the free stuff.

Jersey remains the only place in the British Isles still taxing menstrual products, despite a near-miss in 2022 when politicians voted to remove the GST. The government launched its free product scheme in October 2022, placing items in public toilets and government buildings, and promptly reversed the tax removal. Millar insists the math is simple: spending £5 a month on products, the GST saving would be a mere 25 pence. With freebies, you save the full fiver.

Debbie Taylor, president of Soroptimist International Jersey, calls the scheme 'great' but says taxing products in shops is 'another example of inequality.' She argues that with a government now featuring more women than ever, it's the perfect time to dump the tax. Millar, however, says she wouldn't support removing the GST because it wouldn't produce 'any effective benefit.' Taylor calls that 'a little short-sighted' and suggests asking women via survey - she's sure they'd vote yes.

On the streets, opinions are clear. Carole calls the tax 'absolutely ridiculous,' noting sanitary products are essentials, not luxuries. Chris says the free scheme is a nice gesture, but tax 'shouldn't be added.' Charlie concedes the free tampons and pads in supermarkets and public places 'counteracts the tax to a certain extent,' but in an ideal world, necessities wouldn't be taxed at all.