Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Spring Statement 2019, what the timeframe is for the roll-out of free sanitary products in (a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) further education colleges.

Evidence suggests that some learners in England may be missing education due to difficulties in managing their periods. Periods should not be a barrier to education for any learner, and the department is introducing this scheme to help state-funded primary and secondary schools and 16-19 institutions respond to the needs of learners in the way that is most appropriate to their circumstances.

Nationwide rollout of this scheme to all state-funded primary and secondary schools and 16-19 institutions will take place in early 2020. To help state-funded primary and secondary schools and 16-19 institutions implement the scheme, the department will publish guidance later this year.