Perthshire North MSP, Mr John Swinney, has welcomed news that a pilot to provide free sanitary products to women from low-income households will be extended nationwide. 

The pilot scheme, which ran in Aberdeen between September 2017 and February 2018, sought to address the issue of “period poverty”. An evaluation of the pilot showed that two thirds of those who took part had experienced difficulties in accessing sanitary products in the past. 

Following the successful pilot, the Scottish Government will now provide the charity, FareShare, with over £500,000 to distribute free sanitary products to an estimated 18,800 more women across the country.
Commenting, Mr Swinney said:

“This is an important, progressive step forward – one that I’m sure women across all of Perthshire will welcome.

“Access to sanitary products is a basic right, and I am proud that the Scottish Government is taking bold action to ensure that no female will have to worry about the affordability of such items. 

“This is another example of the Scottish Government taking tangible steps to improve the everyday lives of people across Perthshire, and the nation.”

The extension of this pilot is the latest step in the Scottish Government’s efforts to tackle “period poverty”. From August, Scotland will be the first national government to make sanitary products available to those at school, college or university.