- Ill-fitting bras can cause health problems, say radiographers
Bras should be exempt from VAT because they are essential to women’s health, radiographers claim.
Delegates to the Society of Radiographers’ annual conference will today call on the Treasury to scrap the tax, claiming it disproportionately affects women and could be considered discriminatory under the Equality Act.
Diagnostic radiographers perform X-rays, MRI and CT scans, which can be used to identify musculoskeletal problems caused by ill-fitting bras.
In introducing the motion at the three-day conference in Leeds, delegates will say: ‘The imposition of VAT on bras disproportionately affects women.
‘Taxing bras could be considered discriminatory under the Equality Act 2010.
Radiographers are calling for bras to be exempt from VAT as they are essential for women’s health
Wearing the right bra can reduce breast pain and musculoskeletal problems caused by large breasts and the NHS advises women to wear a well-fitting bra
‘While there may not be any health problems associated with wearing a bra, there may be some musculoskeletal conditions, especially if you wear a larger cup size.
‘Those who wear a bra size D or larger often experience back pain, sore shoulders and neck pain, due to the weight of their breasts.
‘Wearing a well-fitting, good quality bra can alleviate some of these problems and reduce absenteeism due to musculoskeletal problems.’
The NHS website says that women who experience breast pain should ‘wear a well-fitting bra during the day and a soft bra to sleep in’.
And the Chartered Society for Physiotherapy advises women: ‘Wearing the right size bra means you’ll look great, be well supported and avoid unnecessary discomfort.
‘It is important to check your bra size annually and adjust if necessary.
‘Many department stores offer a professional bra fitting service. Use these services to help you find the right bra for you.
‘Taking active steps to ensure you wear the right bra for your size and shape, and while exercising, can help you look great and maintain good postural health.’
Delegates at the SOR conference will compare bras to menstrual products as a necessity, which should therefore not be subject to VAT.
In January, VAT on menstrual pants was abolished after a two-year campaign by brands, retailers, women’s groups and environmentalists dating back to 2021, when the so-called ‘tampon tax’ was abolished on other heritage products such as sanitary towels, tampons and pads. menstrual cups.
A 20 percent tax remained on menstrual pants, which are designed to be worn as an alternative to using tampons and pads, because they were classified as garments.
Women who have undergone breast cancer surgery – whether a mastectomy, partial mastectomy or lumpectomy – are exempt from sales tax when purchasing certain bras.
Professor Joanna Wakefield-Scurr, a leading expert in biomechanics and breast health at the University of Portsmouth, highlighted that some sports bras now cost more than £100 and said the proposal is a great idea.
She added: ‘It is vital that women wear the right breast support every day to protect the health of their breasts. Furthermore, it is even more important in sporting situations where the G-forces acting on the breasts can be greater than those experienced by an F1 driver.
‘I believe that the high costs associated with the addition of VAT may deter women from purchasing suitable bras and may also make women more reluctant to change their bras regularly.’ VAT is Britain’s third largest tax and is expected to generate £176 billion by 2024/2025.
A Treasury spokesman said any request for a new VAT exemption should be seen in the context of the more than £50 billion in VAT exemption requests the government has received since the EU referendum.
They added: ‘Bras worn by women recovering from breast cancer surgery are already exempt, but most goods and services are subject to VAT, generating funding for the country’s public services.’