Women currently pay a levy on tampons, sanitary pads, and menstrual cups because they are viewed as ‘luxury items’.

However, from 1 January 2021, the 5% charge will be abolished through the application of a zero rate of VAT on women’s sanitary products.

Campaigners have fought for years to get the government to abolish the tampon tax.

While progress was made in 2016 when prime minister David Cameron announced a zero rate for sanitary products, the government later admitted that European Union rules prevented it from lowering the charge.

Now the UK has left the EU, the levy can be scrapped.

The move will save the average woman £40 over a lifetime, according to Treasury estimates.

Earlier this year, the government announced a ‘period product scheme’ for schools and colleges in England giving students aged 16-19 access to free period products, ensuring “no-one is held back from accessing education due to their period”.