Stockport Labour welcome a new government scheme to provide free sanitary products to all state schools and colleges. The scheme allows schools and colleges to order a range of products, including sustainable and eco-friendly options.

Schools and colleges across Stockport have been informed by the Council on how to access the products via a website set up by the Department for Education: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/period-products-in-schools-and-colleges/period-product-scheme-for-schools-and-colleges-in-england

In November 2018, Stockport Council passed a motion condemning Period Poverty and sought to address the issue through a ‘dignity bag’ scheme. The move saw the Council work with the Red Box Project, offering free sanity products across schools and community centres within Stockport.

Cllr Colin Foster, Cabinet Member for Children, Family Service and Education, said:

“I’m pleased this scheme has been set up, allowing schools to access products for their pupils and making sure that no one misses out on school because of period poverty. Stockport Council has been working to tackle period poverty in our area for some time, and this national scheme meets a real need in our communities.”

Local campaigner, Claire Vibert, added:

“Period poverty can have a massive impact on girls’ education: this scheme goes some way to remedy that. I’ve been coordinating the Red Box Project locally over recent years to address this issue, and it’s positive that the government are ensuring all schools can help pupils who need it. Period poverty is indicative of poverty more widely in our society however, and it’s only by dealing with poverty as a whole that we’ll really solve this issue.”

ENDS