FREE SANITARY PRODUCTS FOR NORTH AYRSHIRE PUPILS AND STUDENTS SNP GOVERNMENT IN WORLD FIRST

Patricia Gibson MP has welcomed the news that free sanitary products will be available to pupils, students and learners at schools, colleges and universities across North Ayrshire, thanks to £5.2 million of SNP Government funding.

Delivering on the Scottish National Party (SNP) Programme for Government commitment to fight 'period poverty' in Scottish schools, colleges and universities, this initiative makes the SNP Scottish Government the first in the world to make free sanitary products available to all pupils and students.

Following a successful pilot scheme in Aberdeen last year, the SNP Government also provided the charity FareShare Glasgow & the West of Scotland with over £500,000 to distribute free sanitary products to women on low incomes across the country.

Patricia Gibson MP said:

“The SNP Government’s £5.2 million investment in free sanitary products will help female pupils and students in North Ayrshire and across Scotland.

“Basic sanitary provision is a right, not a privilege.

“The notion that anyone should struggle to buy essential hygiene products is simply not acceptable and we should be proud that Scotland is leading the way in the fight against period poverty.

“In addition to the commitment for those in education, the SNP Government is also providing targeted support for low income families.”

The charity FareShare will also receive more than £500,000 from the SNP Government to distribute sanitary products to an estimated 18,800 people across Scotland.

ENDS