In June 2022, a Plan International UK survey found that nearly one in four girls in London were unable to afford period products since the start of the year, which was higher than the national rate.
1. Council Assembly notes that:
- a. In June 2022, a Plan International UK survey found that nearly one in four girls in London were unable to afford period products since the start of the year, which was higher than the national rate.
- b. The charity found that girls across the country were cutting down on food and school spending in order to afford period products.
- c. Scotland was the first country in the world to make period products free for all.
- d. Surrey County and Oxford City Council have both set up or agreed to schemes to provide free period products.
2. Council Assembly believes that:
- a. No-one should experience period poverty.
3. Council Assembly resolves to:
- a. Provide free period products in all of the council’s public toilets and buildings including the town hall, libraries and community centres. This would include all female, male, disabled and gender-neutral toilets.
- b. Where possible, provide sustainable period products for free.
- c. Ensure there are sanitary waste bins in all of the council’s toilets.
- d. Regularly communicate to residents that free period products are available in council property.
- e. Monitor whether state-maintained schools and education institutions in Southwark participate in the UK government’s period product scheme.
- f. Call for the UK Government to make period products free and available to all who need them.