SIR: We are all aware that VAT is added to luxury goods such as hi-fis and televisions etc. What baffles me is how the government decided that sanitary protection wasn't an essential, and we've had to pay for the privilege of using it!

Women spend more than £300m a year on sanitary protection. What most don't realise is that VAT, at a rate of 17.5 per cent is added to the price. How can the government view this as a luxury item?

Women have no choice, but to use it and adding VAT (since 1973) discriminates against the women who use it.

A campaign has been launched to have the VAT reduced to five per cent and eventually scrapped.

We have all been made aware that our new Labour Government supports women's issues, so I ask all supporting females to write to our local MP, backing the campaign to reduce the VAT on our sanitary protection, and asking him to support the cause too!

Ms Susan M Delvard

Vigo Avenue, Bolton

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