Scotland today became the first country in the world to protect in law the right to access free period products.

The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act means councils will be legally required to make period products available free of charge to anyone who needs them.

Social justice secretary Shona Robison said: ‘Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them.

'This is more important than ever at a time when people are making difficult choices due to the cost of living crisis and we never want anyone to be in a position where they cannot access period products.'

The Act builds on the Period Products in Schools (Scotland) Regulations, which came into force in October 2020, placing a duty on local authorities to provide free products for pupils.