Period Products Bill passes final stage

The Scottish Parliament has been hailed as "a force for progressive change" by the MSP sponsoring the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill, which has won unanimous support at its final stage.

Members voted 121 to nil to pass the bill, introduced as a member's bill by Monica Lennon, Labour MSP for Central Scotland and subsequently backed by the Scottish Government and all parties in the Parliament.

The bill aims to achieve free access to period products such as tampons and sanitary towels for women, girls and all who menstruate in order that no one goes without essential products for lack of means. Local authorities will come under a duty to make arrangements to ensure that products are obtainable free of charge, and education providers and other public bodies to be specified by regulations have a similar duty within their premises. Scottish ministers must issue guidance on carrying out these duties, and there are further duties of public information.

Opening the final debate, Ms Lennon said: "We have got here because we have worked together. We have shown that this Parliament can be a force for progressive change when we collaborate. Our prize is the opportunity to consign period poverty to history."

Scotland is the first country to pass such a law, and Ms Lennon said she was "beyond proud" that Scotland was leading the way.

She thanked Cabinet Secretary Aileen Campbell and their respective teams, who had worked "tirelessly" on the bill to achieve consensus, and the campaigners who had "brought periods out of the shadows". She concluded: "Periods should never be a barrier to education or push anyone into poverty. Women, girls and all people who menstruate deserve period dignity."

The main provisions of the bill will come into force on a day to be appointed, which must be within two years of Royal Assent.

Click here to view the report of the debate, and here to view the bill as passed.