Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will make an assessment of the potential (a) implications for her policies of the effectiveness of the free period products scheme in Scotland and (b) merits of implementing a similar scheme in England.

We recognise that women and girls may suffer as a result of the cost of period products.

The so-called ‘tampon tax’ has been abolished, and period underwear now receives the same zero-rate of VAT.

A scheme is in place for education settings, with free products available for all who need them, so periods are not a barrier to education. And all hospital patients can also receive free products.

No assessment of period product schemes operating in Scotland has been made.