Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will provide an update on (a) the uptake of free period products in schools and (b) that uptake for each region of England; and if he will make a statement.

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

Our delivery partner, phs Group, reported that since the scheme launched, almost 40% of eligible organisations have placed orders for period products and we are continuing to monitor the scheme closely. We have not released information on uptake at a regional level, but we continue to monitor this 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.