Cross-party support for Labour’s Holyrood bill to outlaw period poverty

Monica Lennon has backing from all parties at Holyrood Scotland has taken a step forward to becoming the first country to outlaw period poverty as Labour plans to formally introduce the legislation at the Scottish Parliament.

Monica Lennon’s member’s bill has won the backing of each of the five parties at Holyrood, giving her the right to press forward.

Her proposed Sanitary Prod- ucts (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill would create a statutory duty for free provision of sanitary products.

Ms Lennon said: “Scotland can lead the world on period poverty – and it is a positive step that all the parties at the Scottish Parliament have united behind these proposals.

“Access to sanitary products should be a basic right but sadly in Scotland we know not everyone can afford or obtain what they need.”

She added: “This bill would introduce a legal duty on the Scottish Government to develop a universal system in Scotland which will provide free sanitary products for anyone who needs them.

“There should also be a statutory duty on schools, colleges and universities to provide free sanitary products in their toilets. Having your period shouldn’t result in anyone missing class.

“This is bigger than party politics, this is about a fairer future for women and girls in Scotland. We can make that fairer future a reality.”

Consultation responses to the proposed legislation returned 96 per cent supportive of the plans.

Equalities Secretary Angela Constance said: “In a society as rich as Scotland, no-one should have to suffer the indignity of not being able to meet their basic needs.”

Referring to a vow by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in her Programme for Government unveiled in September, Ms Constance said: “From autumnthisyear,wewillbethe first government in the world to fund access to free sanitary products in our schools, colleges and universities.”

A Scottish Government pilot scheme in Aberdeen to provide free sanitary products to those on low incomes has been extended while evaluation takes place.