Mr Simpson seeks views on a voucher scheme.

Erin Campbell says the SYP voted against it because it would make it much more difficult for young people to access products by creating additional barriers.

They also express concern about any registration service being online, as not everyone has internet access.

Siobhan McCready adds the people that most need it are perhaps least likely to ask for it.

Ms Dickson also states registration for vouchers could reduce access for people whose first language is not English or whose partners exhibit controlling behaviours.

Nicola Bristow from Plan International UK says there has been an over-reliance on donation schemes.

Siobhan McCready says without legislation things could stall.

"You do need to push this through with legislation."

Social inclusion is important and while it is welcome that products are available in places like schools, people should not be limited at weekends on whether they can be outside because of their period, Erin Slaven says.

Eilidh Dickson adds the creation of a right to period products would help to tackle the stigma around it.

Erin Campbell says not having access to menstrual products would be a breach of basic human rights.

Image source, Getty Images

Free sanitary products will be available in more public places after the Scottish government committed another £4m to tackle period poverty.

Libraries and leisure centres are among venues that will have free products after they were offered in schools, colleges and universities last year.

The funding will be given to councils who will work with other organisations to meet local needs.

Funding for sanitary items is available now and for the next financial year.

Read more.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson says it seems the Scottish government scheme is largely working and becoming better.

Mr Simpson asks if there is actually a need to legislate if its happening already.

"Absolutely, legislation is key to this," replies Ms McCready.

She says: "This could be real landmark legislation for Scotland."

"Without legislation what's to stop this stopping tomorrow."

Young people really are being let down, Erin Campbell MSYP states.

There are few sustainable options available and options available in schools are frequently of poor quality, they add.

There are a lot of people out there who cannot afford products and it is not always the people you think it would be, they say.

Eilidh Dickson says there is a human cost to not tackling the problem, such as the impact on health and wellbeing.

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart ask about the Scottish government's existing measures.

Erin Slaven says not everybody goes on to higher education and sanitary products should be available to everybody else.

Ms Slaven warns against period poverty being commercialised, as this should be kept simple, "no fouls, no fuss".

Erin Slaven from On The Ball explains her campaign has sought to ensure tampons and sanitary towels are available on football grounds.

She suggests the distribution of products does need to be done efficiently, pointing to examples where too many boxes of products were delivered to higher education institutions when the government put the scheme in place.

Nicola Bristow says it is important to work with local partners because they know best what would be needed.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Graham Simpson points out the bill says products should not be in toilets used only by men.

Erin Campbell disagrees with this, saying trans and non-binary people should be included in this experience.

Eilidh Dickson adds there are a range of access needs and some men may need to access these products on behalf of someone else.

Ms Dickson says she is concerned about narrowing budgets hitting the universality of the scheme.

It would be real tragedy if the c-card scheme was used to move away from that universality, she adds.

The c-card scheme is aimed at young people between 13-24 years old who can register to get a range of free condoms.

Image source, European Photopress Agency

Nicola Bristow says there is a "toxic trio" that sits around period poverty - access, education and stigma.

Erin Slaven of On The Ball says products should be made available for everyone, as not everyone who may use them will necessary consider themselves in poverty.

Siobhan McCready says most people will likely continue to buy their own products, but they should be there for those who are struggling or even if they are caught short.

Erin Campbell calls for products to be available in all public bathrooms, not just women's toilets, to ensure inclusivity for trans and non-binary people.

Image source, Getty Images

Legislation has been officially lodged at the Scottish Parliament to ensure free access to sanitary products for all women.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon said her member's bill aimed to make Scotland a "world leader" in tackling period poverty.

It would make it a statutory requirement for schools, colleges and universities to provide such items.

The Scottish government has pledged £4m to boost provision in public buildings.

Read more.

After our technical difficulties make sure you have refreshed the page to see the committee.

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack asks if people need to be shocked out of complacency and whether 'period poverty' is the right phrase to use or if 'period dignity' is better.

Siobhan McCready from Unite the Union Scotland says she prefers the term dignity as it is more about access to products than poverty.

It's about raising awareness, she adds, although she gets the shock value around the term period poverty.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson asks about the costs of sanitary products.

Erin Slaven from On the Ball explains it can vary for individuals.

Siobhan McCready of Unite says the average can be anywhere between £10-20 per month.

Cheaper items are available but these might not serve everyone's needs, she adds.

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack asks about the extent of period poverty.

Nicola Bristow from Plan International UK says a survey of 1,000 people found one in ten had experiences difficulty with accessing period products, but she says there is a lack of data at local levels.

Erin Campbell MSYP points to support among young people for free sanitary products and the experience of some having to use a rag due to cost barriers.

Eilidh Dickson of Engender says a lack of income means people are having to choose between period products or providing food for their families.

The first roundtable session on the period poverty bill begins with:

• Nicola Bristow from Plan International UK, external
• Eilidh Dickson of Engender, external
• Erin Campbell MSYP, external
• Siobhan McCready from Unite the Union Scotland, external
• Erin Slaven of On the Ball, external

Thankfully the technical difficulties are resolved now, apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Image source, EVERETT/REX SHUTTERSTOCK

Our apologies, we are having some technical gremlins this morning with our video stream.

You can watch the session on Scottish Parliament TV, external.

Image source, Getty Images

The Local Government and Communities Committee is hosting its first evidence session on the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill this morning.

The papers for the session are available here. , external

More information about the bill can be viewed here., external

And written evidence on the bill is available here., external

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome to BBC Scotland's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 18 December 2019.

The Local Government and Communities Committee hosts its first session on the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill this morning.

It aims to tackle period poverty by increasing the provision of free period products to all who need them.

Chamber business begins earlier than usual, at 1.30pm, to fit in three slots of portfolio questions - health, education and local government.

This will be followed by a statement on the ScotRail franchise and Abellio.

Image source, PA media

A second government statement will then follow this time on the two ferries under construction at Ferguson Marine.

Then MSPs debate the Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Bill at stage 1.

Image source, Getty Images

Finally, SNP MSP James Dornan leads a debate on the use of financial abuse as a means of controlling partners.