David Cameron will face a fresh headache over Europe tomorrow when Tory MPs join forces with Labour to fight a ‘tampon tax’ levied by the EU.

The rebel Tories have picked the fight over a five per cent VAT rate on female sanitary products, which is enforced by the EU, as an example of the powers they think the Prime Minister should negotiate back from Europe.

More than 50 Labour MPs are supporting a motion to insert a clause in the Finance Bill to remove the VAT charged on sanitary products.

David Cameron, pictured, faces a rebellion over VAT on tampons described as a 'tax on women'

The UK is barred by EU law from lowering the rate, but the clause would compel the Prime Minister to try to negotiate to give the Treasury the power to decide VAT rates.

One of the Labour MPs backing the motion, Paula Sherriff, last night described the VAT rate as a ‘tax on women’. She added: ‘It’s ridiculous that tampons are taxed as luxuries, not essentials.