Free period products in schools could be cut off by Labour

Keir Starmer’s Labour government is considering axing free period products in schools as part of wider public spending cuts.

Having already announced £5 billion of welfare savings, Labour ministers have turned their cost-saving tactics to the education sector. Reports claim Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has suggested giving free menstrual products the axe, and ending free school meals for infants, as part of a package of £500 million of savings across the education sector.

Dance, music, and PE schemes may also be at risk, as well as junior ISAs for children in care, and the Turing Scheme which pays education providers across the UK to support students looking to study abroad.

While the changes would not apply in Scotland or Wales due to devolved power, England could see the end of the period product scheme which provides free period products to menstruators in their place of study.

The government website states: ‘Period products should be available for all who need them, when they need them, so they can access education. Having periods should not be a barrier to education for anyone.’

If the government decides to U-turn on progress and axe free products in schools, it will inevitably plunge thousands of teenagers into period poverty. They will be forced to rely on charities like Every Month to provide free products where we can. To take such a backwards step would be a key indicator of the government’s priorities around child poverty, health and wellbeing.

Every Month provides period packs to people who need them, no cost or stigma. We are here for any and everybody. To write to your local MP, follow the template and link on our website.