Period poverty bill backed as ministers change tack

A member's bill in the Scottish Parliament aimed at ending period poverty is to be backed by Scottish Ministers, despite their opposing it during its first scrutiny at Holyrood.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon's Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill had failed to win the backing of the Local Government & Communities Committee in its stage 1 report, after SNP and Conservative members said they could not support its general principles, but after Jackson Carlaw, the new Scottish Conservative leader, said last week that he would now support the bill at its first parliamentary vote, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said the Scottish Government would now do likewise.

Ministers had previously pointed to the free availability of period products in schools and colleges, and further provision for those on low incomes, when arguing against spending money on universal provision, which they estimate at costing £24m a year compared with Ms Lennon's figure of £10m. 

Ms Campbell reiterated the Government's "significant and very real concerns about the practicality and deliverability of the bill in its current form", in promising support at stage 1.

She added: "We will then seek to work with others in a genuine effort on amendments that will allay our concerns and enable us to lodge a robust financial resolution."

Welcoming the move, Ms Lennon said her bill would "guarantee rights, ensure that current initiatives continue in future on a universal basis, and will help us achieve period dignity for all".