Question reference: S6W-10487
- Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 23 August 2022
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 20 September 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much additional funding local authorities (a) have stated they will need to meet demand and (b) will receive to meet demand as a result of the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 coming into effect, in the financial year (i) 2022-23 and (ii) 2023-24.
Answer
Scottish Government has allocated £4.9 million to local authorities for expenditure in 2022-23 and intends to allocate the same sum in 2023-24 in relation to making period products available for free. This includes meeting their duties as set out in the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021, which came into force on 15 August 2022.
Local authorities have not stated at this point that additional funding will be required in 2022-23 or 2023-24 to meet demand. However, through a bid-in process agreed through COSLA, Scottish Government will make provision for additional funding if this is required to meet costs as a result of increased demand or activities required to implement the Act.