Tories must do more to act on period poverty in schools

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran has warned the Conservatives “must act without delay” in tackling period poverty after securing assurances that the Government was “considering options” for free sanitary products in primary schools.

The Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson said extending this scheme could “make all the difference in the world to a young woman who is skipping school because she cannot afford sanitary products.”

The call comes after the Liberal Democrat MP used parliamentary questions to ask what steps the Government is taking to provide free sanitary products to girls in primary schools in England.

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said: 

“What options do Conservative Ministers need to ‘consider’ exactly? If we are serious about tackling period poverty – which has held far too many young women back in their education for far too long – then it goes without saying we need to extend support to girls of primary school age too.

“It is unacceptable for girls who are struggling with period poverty to be left without any support, just because they are under 11. It doesn’t need to be this way. People deserve better, and the Liberal Democrats demand better. 

“Extending this scheme could make all the difference in the world to a young woman who is skipping school because she cannot afford sanitary products. Conservative Ministers must act without delay.” 

Ms Moran’s parliamentary question: 

“To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to provide free sanitary products to girls in primary schools.”

In response, Nadhim Zahawi, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, confirmed the Department for Education was consider options for supporting primary school children:

“No one should be held back from reaching their potential because of their gender or background. That is why my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Spring Statement on 13 March 2019 that the Department for Education will lead a scheme to provide access to free sanitary products in all secondary schools and colleges in England. As we develop the plans, we will consider options for supporting primary school children.”