BRITISH women despaired yesterday as Chancellor George Osborne announced that the controversial tampon tax would remain and be used to pay for domestic abuse and rape counselling services.

During his spending review speech in Parliament, Mr Osborne argued he could not lower the 5 per cent rate on sanitary products because of “EU law.”

He added, however, that the government would use the £15 million a year revenue from the tax to fund women’s charities.

Taking her grievance onto social media, Colleen Hawkins tweeted: “Seems fair… we’re the ones going out there [and] getting raped and domestically abused, so we really ought to pay our way!”

Another user, Lizzie Cain, said: “Women to pay for domestic violence/rape/counselling services with #tampontax — warped cycle of inequalities perpetuated.”

“#Tampontax revenues going to women’s charities = intrinsically sexist: women should pay for women’s problems,” added student Sofia Patel also on the site.

But his critics also made themselves heard inside the House of Commmons. Labour MP Jess Phillips was heard shouting at the Chancellor: “You’re not paying it George, I am.”

The Fawcett Society branded the spending review a “mixed bag for women and for gender equality” arguing that while the reinvestment was welcomed, it wasn’t enough.

The feminist group’s chief executive Sam Smethers said: “The tampon tax giveaway for vulnerable women’s services is very welcome, but let’s not stop there.

“The Chancellor should also invest other money in women’s services.

“Many of the services they rely on are being severely cut back at local level.”