One of the witty responses to to the luxury tax on sanitary towels and tampons in October 2015

"We said we'd use the money to benefit women's charities and we've already distributed £17m to good causes across the country," Osborne said.

"At the same time we said we'd fight for agreement to reduce the VAT rate to zero, and tonight all European leaders have welcomed our plan to do just that. We've achieved what no British government has even tried to achieve.

"It just shows how Britain can make a case for a reform that will benefit millions as a powerful, confident voice inside a reformed EU."

A formal announcement is expected on Wednesday and the new rates may take some time to come into place.

At last. Tampon tax set to be scrapped after EU deal