Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to (a) publicise the Period Products Scheme and (b) increase school participation in that scheme.

On 20 January 2020, the Department for Education launched a new scheme which makes free period products available for state-funded primary schools, secondary schools and colleges in England.

This scheme is in place to ensure that no learner misses out on education due to their period. Schools and colleges should have period products available should learners need them. Schools may choose to order period products through this scheme or through an alternative route.

Our supplier phs Group reported in August that almost 40% of eligible organisations have placed orders for period products through this scheme, and we are continuing to monitor orders closely. The scheme remained in operation during partial school and college closures, and these organisations are still able to order a range of period products and distribute them to learners.

We continue to work with our delivery partner phs Group to encourage engagement with the scheme. We intend to publish positive stories from organisations that have benefitted from the scheme in order to promote it further.