Announcement of free sanitary products in schools

13 March 2019

Like millions of others, we were delighted with Philip Hammond’s announcement that the government will provide free sanitary products in secondary schools and colleges in England from the next school year. This is a significant step forward in the efforts to eliminate period poverty and comes after the NHS pledged to make tampons and sanitary towels available to patients.

Girls from low income families can end up missing school during their periods because they are unable to afford sanitary protection, and one in 10 women are unable to afford sanitary protection during their period.

Dawn Butler, the shadow minister for women and equalities, said of Hammond’s announcement: “This is a victory for all those who have campaigned for an end to period poverty.”