Value Added Tax (VAT) in the UK is 17.5% (temporarily cut to 15% between December 2008 and December 2009) on supplies of goods and services.

Certain goods and services are exempt from VAT like food and clothing (which is really poppycock because of indirect taxation). Supposedly, the exemptions are intended to relieve the tax burden on "essentials". Sanitary towels were charged VAT until a few years ago because those were considered luxury rather than essential. LOL!!! Only a man would have drawn up taxation on that item.
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