Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment the UK Government has made of the potential merits of the Scottish Parliament's decision to provide sanitary products free of charge; and if she would make it her policy to adopt a similar initiative in England.

This Government takes the issue of period poverty very seriously and we are already taking steps to ensure that period products are available and affordable for those most in need.

Since January 2020, a Department for Education scheme provides free period products in schools and 16-19 education institutions in England. 97% of secondary schools, 92% of post-16 organisations and 68% of primary schools have made at least one order since the scheme began in January 2020.

In March 2019 NHS England announced that it would offer period products to every hospital patient who needs them (including long-term in-patients).

As part of our wider strategy to make period products affordable and available for all women, we have also made it clear that a zero rate of VAT applies to period products now that the UK has left the EU. These products are essential so it is right that there is now no VAT charge.