Southwark Council to Explore Providing Free Period Products, Off Lib Dem Campaign

Southwark Council could provide free period products in its public toilets after councillors voted to pass an amended Liberal Democrat motion on Wednesday evening.

The Southwark Liberal Democrats tabled a motion for council assembly that called on the authority to provide free period products in all of its public toilets and buildings.

This follows on from a Plan International UK survey in June that found that nearly one in four London girls were unable to afford period products since the start of the year.

The Liberal Democrat motion also called for sanitary bins in all council toilets.

England rugby star Lewis Moody recently campaigned for sanitary bins to become compulsory in male bathrooms as it would aid men with incontinence.

The Southwark Labour group weakened the Liberal Democrat motion with an amendment that means these policies will be explored, as opposed to implemented.

However, all councillors voted for the amended version.

Commenting, Cllr Rachel Bentley, the Southwark Liberal Democrat who proposed the motion said: “People of all ages should be able to participate fully in life with dignity. This motion is an important step towards that as it would stop people worrying about sanitary products or how to dispose of personal hygiene items safely or sensitively when outside of their homes. I'm delighted to see this Liberal Democrat motion be adopted and rest assured I will be working with my colleagues to ensure this becomes a reality across Southwark’s public toilets and buildings.”