News
Do women have a higher cost of living?
A new survey by WINOL finds that female students and those who identify as women tend to spend a lot more compared to men.
The Pink Tax is not a new concept, and neither are the extra costs associated with period care and appearance upkeep.
But what exactly do those costs look like?
Forty seven students across England, Scotland and Wales were asked about their spending habits.
On average, those that identified as women spend £31 per month on beauty products and services – such as makeup, hair care, and razors – while men spend just £18.
Just under two-fifths of these women reported spending over £40 per month.
Additionally, there was an obvious gap when it came to period products including pads, tampons, and painkillers.
Although not every female student spends money on period products – be it due to contraception use, one-time reusable products, or medical conditions – just over 20% of them said they spend over £20 per month in this section.
Despite the “tampon tax”, which classified menstrual products as luxury goods, being abolished in 2021, menstrual products are still not free.
While this could be seen as a small expenditure, especially compared to rent or grocery shopping for students, it can “add up quickly” according to many students.
Winchester students in particular appeared to be high spenders – almost a third of female students claimed to spend over £20 on period products.
When asking students about their feelings on the matter, some replied that they often look through men’s products to save money.
They also brought up the pressure on women to present themselves a certain way compared to men: “If I went out without makeup, people would go ‘are you ill?’”
Another said,:“I think a man can show up in jogging bottoms, a T-shirt and greasy hair and nobody would think any different. But if a woman were to do that, I think she’d definitely get a lot more looks.”
If a student is struggling with finances, aside from looking at men’s products, there are a variety of schemes in place to help.
For example, the Winchester Student Union has a Freebie Bin which offers “free period products to students who need it”.
Since 2021, Scotland has also rolled out legislation ensuring that anyone who needs it has access to free menstrual products – the first country in the world to do so.
Communities are encouraged to buy a poppy as this year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is launched in the lead-up to Remembrance Day.
The annual fundraising campaign supports members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, personnel and their families.
The Poppy Appeal remains the Legion’s biggest annual fundraiser.
Last year, more than 32 million poppies were distributed across the UK, and about £51.4 million was raised in donations.
Chris Hayward is managing the Poppy Appeal in North Hampshire & Winchester and said: “Wearing a poppy during Remembrance time shows that you care.”
“It’s a national symbol, and it shows the armed forces community that you appreciate everything that they do.”
She added: “For those who want to get involved, you can wear your poppy, donate to the Royal British Legion, Poppy Appeal, and also participate in the collections and volunteer as a collector.”
Winchester will be recognising remembrance itself, with a service at the Cathedral on Sunday, 9th November, in addition to a service at Winchester Guildhall at 11 am on Armistice Day.
The service will begin at 9:20 am and will include a procession from The Broadway to Winchester Cathedral, as well as wreath laying too.
Donations from the campaign go towards services including mental health support, housing assistance and employment advice for veterans transitioning to civilian life.
For more information on how to donate, volunteer or order poppies online, visit: britishlegion.org.uk/poppyappeal.
Until 2093, asteroid 2025 PN7 will be sharing the Earth’s orbit.
You may have seen circuiting on social media a myth that the Earth has two moons from now until 2083 – sadly, that’s science fiction.
In August of this year astronomers discovered asteroid 2025 PN7.
It is considered a quasi-moon as it orbits the sun in a similar path to Earth.
According to Mike Shanahan, planetarium director at New Jersey’s Liberty Science Centre, the asteroid has been travelling “alongside Earth for 60 years”.
Due to the size of the asteroid, it wasn’t discovered until this summer.
Astronomy fans hoping to see a second moon in the sky are out of luck.
The asteroid is too small and far away to be seen by the naked eye or regular telescopes.
The number of asteroids in Earth-like orbit has been known to exceed 100.
Some orbit alongside the Earth for merely months, whereas others years or decades.
Currently, six other quasi-moons have been recorded near Earth.
Cardiff is the first UK city to introduce a “tax” for SUVs weighing over 2.4 tonnes.
The tax is to be enforced in residential permit areas, and also includes cars that are powered by diesel.
Cardiff Council is hoping that implementing this will improve congestion, the air quality, and create space on pavements.
The exact cost has yet to be announced, but the council has announced it will be releasing the tax in phases.
Winchester is a relatively small city with many residential permit areas – the question of a similar initiative being introduced locally has arisen.
Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council chose not to respond to Winchester News Online, with Winchester City Council stating that it is not a subject a councillor is likely to comment on, as it is an issue relevant to Cardiff and not yet an issue to Winchester.
Though the council does not yet deem this a possibility, it has gotten the public talking.
Jet Gates, a disability campaigner, said:
“It’s going to have a massive impact on disabled people across the UK
“We are a highly marginalized group in society – it’s just yet another nail in the coffin.”
-
Winchester News Online2 years agoWinchester M3 Junction 9 hit with environmental concerns
-
News2 years agoFestive Santa Fun Run is here again!
-
Culture2 years agoREVIEW: Oh What A Lovely War at MAST Mayflower Studios
-
Sport2 years agoTwo late goals see Blues victorious in Romsey
-
Sport1 year agoWinchester City: Keeper Cairney rescues point with another late penalty
-
Comment11 months agoCOMMENT: Hair as a window on our health
-
Winchester News Online11 months agoWho will be appointed New England manager?
-
Sport3 weeks agoBillie Jean King – Battle of the Sexes – 1973