Free sanitary products provision could cost more than £24m a year

Providing free sanitary products for all women who need them could cost more than £24 million a year, the Scottish Government has estimated.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon is pushing legislation that would require ministers to ensure free period products are made available on a universal basis.

The Scottish Government said high uptake could result in annual costs of £24.1 million - more than double the £9.7 million estimated by Ms Lennon.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell told the Labour MSP: "The costs that you have put through are not reflective of the actual costs.''

She said legislation is not needed because "significant and world leading'' action from the Scottish Government is already leading to a culture change.

Free period products are available through secondary and primary schools across Scotland and in all 19 universities and 26 colleges, potentially helping almost 400,000 students.

The Scottish Government also works with hundreds of community groups to ensure more than 35,000 women most in need benefit from free products, with further funding of £2.8 million ensuring these are available in libraries, community centres, council offices and public toilets.

Private-sector firms are also becoming involved, with some football clubs and shopping centres making sanitary products freely available.

Ms Campbell said: "We do believe we are beginning to see a culture change and there is a risk that introducing legislation now would encourage people to meet only minimum standard, compared to what we are seeing the public, private and third sectors, where organisations are going above and beyond.''

Speaking about the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill - which Ms Lennon has introduced as a member's Bill - the Communities Secretary said there was was "little clarity to the true policy intent'' of the legislation as she also criticised the "vagueness'' of its provisions.

While Ms Campbell stressed Scottish ministers "fully believe in the principle of ensuring that everyone who needs to access period products can do'', she added "at this point in time the legislation is not required''.

Speaking about the issue to MSPs on Holyrood's Local Government and Communities Committee she said: "We're developing and evolving policy approach with flexibility.

"If that is at risk of being lost I don't think I could support this Bill at this point in time.''

Ms Lennon argued legislation was still needed, despite "fantastic progress'' being made in tackling period poverty.

The Labour MSP said: "There are gaps out there where people still find themselves in period poverty.''

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