Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is being urged to scrap the so-called ‘Roll Tax’ which classes toilet roll as a luxury item – meaning it is subject to an extra 20% VAT – despite most people viewing it as a weekly essential.
New research from eco-friendly toilet paper brand Who Gives A Crap reveals that 70% of the British public is unaware that VAT is charged on toilet roll, while caviar and helicopters, are VAT-free.
Who Gives A Crap, now claimed to be the third largest toilet paper brand in the UK, is calling on the Chancellor to scrap the tax in the spring Budget, with almost nine in ten (88%) Brits backing the move.
The firm has requested the move in a submission to the Treasury ahead of the Budget and has written to the Chancellor in an open letter signed by charities Bloody Good Period, The Hygiene Bank and Freedom4Girls.
In total, the UK spends around £26m on toilet paper every week with each household using 127 rolls annually. The VAT on this brings in £247m to the Exchequer, equal to just 0.05% of total tax receipts.
While this is pennies to the Government, Who Gives a Crap claims this has a much greater impact on UK households and disproportionally affects the most vulnerable in our society. Amid the cost-of-living crisis, 3 in 5 UK adults admit to having cut back on luxuries to be able to afford essential household purchases.
By scrapping the Roll Tax, an average household would be saving £8.74, which is equivalent to over three days of petrol and diesel, two-and-a-half days of household gas and electricity, a month of fresh milk or over two weeks of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Who Gives A Crap UK managing director Emily Kraftman said: “We know that something as humble as the toilet roll can make a huge difference to people’s lives, especially as the cost-of-living crisis continues.
“We were baffled to find that toilet roll is taxed as a luxury when it’s one of the most essential items in our weekly shopping carts, especially when compared to some of the more ridiculous, VAT-free items such as caviar.
“We’re calling on the Government and the Chancellor to make this small change today that will benefit every single one of us – and committing to pass 100% of the savings on to our customers.”
Who Gives A Crap has launched a public petition with Change.Org to help garner public support for scrapping the tax.
The company has pledged to pass on 100% of the savings to customers, should the Roll Tax be scrapped and will be creating a charter that encourages other brands to do the same.
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