With MPs from other parties I have written to Lucy Powell on the provision of period products.
16th June 2025
FAO: Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP
Leader of the House of Commons and
Chair of the Modernisation Committee
Sent via email.
Dear Lucy,
RE: Provision of period products on the Parliamentary Estate
We are writing to you regarding the provision of free period products across the parliamentary estate. The current protocol states ‘period products for emergency use are available free of charge in selected toilets across the parliamentary estate’. This is simply not fit for purpose – those who need to access period products must be able to do so across the entirety of the estate. It is not feasible, or indeed fair, that menstruating individuals should have to either pay or source a map to find where they can access the sanitary products they need, in the middle of their working day.
Research conducted in 2023 found 21% of women and people who menstruate in the UK struggle to afford period products. Not only does this cause financial worries as well as potential embarrassment and anxiety, but it can also result in serious health conditions.
Access to period products is a matter of dignity, health and equality. Whilst the UK Parliament has made good progress in becoming a more modern workplace, there is still some way to go. Looking to our counterparts in the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Senedd and the Northern Irish Assembly, they have all implemented provision of free period products within their Parliament. We need to lead by example and ensure that no one who works in these buildings here in Westminster is disadvantaged by a lack of access to essential sanitary products.
We therefore ask that period products be provided free of charge in every toilet across the Parliamentary estate, as soon as is possible, to ensure that Parliament is an accessible workspace for all.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
We very much look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Sally Donald, Co-Chair of the ParliGender Committee & Head of Office to Graham Leadbitter MP
Sadik Al-Hassan MP
Paula Barker MP
Lorraine Beavers MP
Apsana Begum MP
Siân Berry MP
Matt Bishop MP
Kirsty Blackman MP
Chris Bloore MP
Ian Byrne MP
Ellie Chowns MP
Daisy Cooper MP
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Emily Darlington MP
Carla Denyer MP
Dave Doogan MP
Graeme Downie MP
Sarah Edwards MP
Kirith Entwistle MP
Neil Duncan-Jordan MP
Stephen Flynn MP
Stephen Gethins MP
Olly Glover MP
Gill Furniss MP
Jodie Gosling MP
Amanda Hack MP
Kim Johnson MP
Mary Kelly Foy MP
Uma Kumaran MP
Chris Law MP
Graham Leadbitter MP
Seamus Logan MP
Helen Maguire MP
John McDonnell MP
John Milne MP
Grahame Morris MP
Susan Murray MP
Joe Powell MP
Yasmin Qureshi MP
Martin Rhodes MP
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
Anna Sabine MP
Will Stone MP
Zarah Sultana MP
Pete Wishart MP