Image source, bbc

"I have watched in awe as Monica Lennon has dragged this bill by its bootstraps through this parliament," begins Alex Cole-Hamilton.

He commends Ms Lennon for her efforts, adding she has been an inspiration to watch.

The Lib Dem MSP agrees with his Labour counterpart: "This isn't a bill about hygiene, but about about human dignity.

"I'm proud to have supported it from the outset and been a signatory to the bill."

Green MSP Andy Wightman says the fundamental point of this bill is to create a statutory right to access period products.

While welcoming the scheme already rolled out by government, he tells the chamber the Greens believe this right should be enshrined in law.

The bill already provides enough flexibility for councils to deliver schemes as they see fit, he argues.

Mr Wightman says "I have no doubt difficult conversations lie ahead" but we will support Ms Lennon in getting the bill on the statute book.

Ms McNeill says the bill:

• places a duty on Scottish ministers to ensure period products are available on a universal basis
• requires education providers to provide free period products on site in toilets
• requires Scottish ministers to place a duty on other specified public bodies to provide free period products

Image source, Twitter

The Labour MSP adds: "It is time for the remaining taboos to end, let Scotland be the world leader in breaking those taboos."

She says it's time to end taboos about women's health, be it periods, the menopause or anything else.

Ms McNeill calls on MSPs to back the general principles of the bill and get down to scrutiny.

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill says many bill which go through parliament are subject to several amendments and this should therefore not stand in the way of it going forward today.

I wholeheartedly welcome the change of heart of the Scottish government, she adds.

"The taboo of periods still exists around the world," the Labour MSP says.

There is a case for universal provision of period products, she says, highlighting that those in most need of them are frequently least likely to ask for them.

Mr Simpson says if you suffer from a medical condition like endometriosis that makes you bleed a lot you should get period products on prescription.

The Tory MSP came to this conclusion having talked to a "very impressive woman" who suffered from endometriosis who spent £50 a month on period products.

Ms Lennon intervenes to warn against asking women to prove they bleed enough or in the right way to access the products.

"That's why a universal approach is the most dignified way forward," she adds.

Mr Simpson argues one of the things to come out of this debate is that people should not be embarrassed about talking about these issues.

He concludes saying the committee has a "huge amount of work to do" to knock this bill into shape if possible.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson says a proposal which looked to be straight forward has proven to be anything but.

I've swung between being for the bill to thinking it was not needed during consideration, he tells the chamber.

My big concern is the bill will impose obligations on as yet unnamed public bodies but does not require the government to fund the scheme, he explains.

The Tory MSP says no one disagrees with what Monica Lennon is trying to achieve, but the question is whether this is the right way.

Ms Campbell says the proposed costs have been dramatically underestimated.

The government's best estimate of the annual cost for universal free access was £24m, over two and half times the cost in the financial memorandum, the minister says.

She welcomes the committee's decision that more work was needed on the bill before a financial resolution can be lodged.

The communities and local government secretary tells the chamber: "It will require a whole lot of hard work and endeavour to make sure we can get something that is fit for purpose."

"Parliament will now need to pull out all the stops and work hard collectively and collaboratively."

She says she wants to protect the progress made already in terms of providing free period products.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell says the government has invested £15m in providing free period products without legislation, reaching over 530,000 women and girls across the country.

That is about a third of those who menstruate who have access to free products, she tells the chamber.

Once again the Scottish government is having to step in as austerity and poverty makes it difficult for them to afford the costs of living, she says.

Ms Campbell insists the flexibility in the current scheme must be maintained so delivery meets local needs.

James Dornan said the focus of the Local Government and Communities Committee was whether universality was preferable to a more targeted approach.

The convener highlights concerns about costs and says the majority of MSPs on the committee felt there was not enough clarity available.

The Local Government and Communities Committee was unanimous in its support for the intent of the bill, but a majority did not support the general principles in the Stage 1 report, external.

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Mr Dornan says he has no doubt this bill will need a considerable number of amendments to make it workable, adding he looks forward to "the sizeable challenge",

The committee convener tells the chamber he will be abstaining at decision time.

"Success has many mothers," Ms Lennon says, praising campaigners and colleagues for pushing for free period products.

"A change in circumstance can quickly push anyone into period poverty," she says.

The Labour MSP praises the Scottish government for rollout out of the scheme to provide products in schools, colleges and other places, saying this provides a strong framework on which to build.

The world is willing us to go further and back the Period Products Bill tonight she concludes.

Image source, bbc

Monica Lennon says: "Women and girls are too often left behind in the political process. This is a chance to put them first and do something that is truly groundbreaking in terms of gender equality."

The Labour MSP says the bill will ensure free universal access to period products to anyone who needs them.

She says one in five women in the UK will face a struggle to access period products during their lifetime.

The Labour MSP praises On the Baw and 50 other campaign groups for their efforts.

She says the bill has been influenced by women, girls, and trans and non-binary people from across Scotland, who have all been the architects of this legislation.

Image source, PA Media

MSPs will now debate the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill, external for the first time, before being asked to vote on its general principles at decision time.

The bill will make period products available to all free of charge.

The legislation, put forward by Labour MSP Monica Lennon, is likely to pass its first vote in Holyrood later.

It comes after the Scottish government last week changed its position and pledged to support the bill.

At present tampons, pads and some reusable products are funded in schools, colleges and universities.

Image source, bbc

The Scottish government is to support legislation to make period products available free of charge to all.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon put forward a bill at Holyrood aiming to tackle "period poverty" across Scotland.

Ministers had previously opposed it, citing worries about deliverability and cost, but came under pressure from charities and womens' groups.

The SNP will now vote for the bill at stage one, before seeking amendments to to allay their "significant" concerns.

Last month Girlguiding Scotland said it was "disappointed" that the Scottish government had not supported the bill.

Read more here.

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.

The successful rollout of a scheme offering free sanitary products in educational buildings in August 2018 has boosted the move to make it a legal requirement.

• Surviving period poverty with 'socks and tissue'
• 'Period poverty' sanitary products 'improve school attendance'
• Free sanitary products scheme expands in Scotland
• Read more here