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| M&S defends 'tax on bigger bras' | M&S defends 'tax on bigger bras' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Marks & Spencer has defended a policy of charging extra on some of its bras that are bigger than a size DD. | |
| The iconic High Street retailer said that the added cost - typically £2 - was "standard industry practice". | The iconic High Street retailer said that the added cost - typically £2 - was "standard industry practice". |
| But the policy has drawn protests including almost 300 people joining a Busts 4 Justice protest group on the Facebook website. | But the policy has drawn protests including almost 300 people joining a Busts 4 Justice protest group on the Facebook website. |
| Its founders argue it is unfair that smaller bras are cheaper, because this logic does not apply to other clothes. | Its founders argue it is unfair that smaller bras are cheaper, because this logic does not apply to other clothes. |
| 'Unfair tax' | 'Unfair tax' |
| Beckie Williams, 25, from Brighton, said she set up the social networking site group after an "unsatisfactory" correspondence with the retailer. | Beckie Williams, 25, from Brighton, said she set up the social networking site group after an "unsatisfactory" correspondence with the retailer. |
| She said M&S replied to her letter claiming the extra material needed lay behind the higher price at the tills. | She said M&S replied to her letter claiming the extra material needed lay behind the higher price at the tills. |
| I have been a size 8 all my adult life, but have never benefited from smaller priced pants Beckie Williams | I have been a size 8 all my adult life, but have never benefited from smaller priced pants Beckie Williams |
| "That's fair enough", Ms Williams told BBC Radio Five Live. "But they don't apply the same policy to other clothes that use more material and more resources to make as well. | "That's fair enough", Ms Williams told BBC Radio Five Live. "But they don't apply the same policy to other clothes that use more material and more resources to make as well. |
| "I just think it should be one policy for all items of clothing." | "I just think it should be one policy for all items of clothing." |
| The M&S website advertises the Ceriso Polka Dot Padded Bra for £12, rising to £14 for the version for DD to G sizes. | The M&S website advertises the Ceriso Polka Dot Padded Bra for £12, rising to £14 for the version for DD to G sizes. |
| There are similar differences in price for other ranges, though many of the store's more basic designs cost the same, no matter the size. | There are similar differences in price for other ranges, though many of the store's more basic designs cost the same, no matter the size. |
| Mrs Williams said that £2 was not a huge sum to pay but that it was still "an unfair tax". | Mrs Williams said that £2 was not a huge sum to pay but that it was still "an unfair tax". |
| "This is not something that we have chosen," she said. | "This is not something that we have chosen," she said. |
| "And I have been a size 8 all my adult life, but have never benefited from smaller priced pants. | "And I have been a size 8 all my adult life, but have never benefited from smaller priced pants. |
| "If you don't charge a size 20 woman more for a pair of trousers, then why should you pay more for an E cup bra?" | "If you don't charge a size 20 woman more for a pair of trousers, then why should you pay more for an E cup bra?" |
| Most of the those posting comments on the Busts 4 Justice site are supportive of the women's efforts. | Most of the those posting comments on the Busts 4 Justice site are supportive of the women's efforts. |
| Many are written by men, obviously just delighted to be involved. | Many are written by men, obviously just delighted to be involved. |
| But some commentators backed Marks and Spencer's policy. | But some commentators backed Marks and Spencer's policy. |
| "Bigger bras = more material = higher cost," opined one male correspondent. | "Bigger bras = more material = higher cost," opined one male correspondent. |
| "There is no grand conspiracy going on here". | "There is no grand conspiracy going on here". |