Legislation providing for universal access to free sanitary products at schools, colleges and universities is set to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

As of the Friday deadline, Labour MSP Monica Lennon had won support for her proposal from members of all five parties at Holyrood, giving her the right to introduce a bill.

The bill would place a duty on Scottish Ministers to introduce a universal system of free provision of sanitary products; place a duty on all schools to provide free sanitary products in school toilets; place a duty on all colleges and universities to provide free sanitary products in campus toilets; and introduce measures to allow Scottish Ministers to extend these duties to other bodies in future, following a period of review.

Ms Lennon said: “Scotland can lead the world on period poverty – and it is a positive step that all the parties at the Scottish Parliament have united behind these proposals.

“Access to sanitary products should be a basic right but sadly in Scotland we know not everyone can afford or obtain what they need.

“This bill would introduce a legal duty on the Scottish Government to develop a universal system in Scotland which will provide free sanitary products for anyone who needs them.

“There should also be a statutory duty on schools, colleges and universities to provide free sanitary products in their toilets. Having your period shouldn’t result in anyone missing class.

“This is bigger than party politics, this is about a fairer future for women and girls in Scotland. We can make that fairer future a reality.”