Access to Free Period Products FY 2024-25

2. The Scottish Government made a commitment in its 2017 ‘Programme for Government’ to provide “access to free sanitary products to students in schools, colleges and universities”. The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) announced the first year of this funding in August 2018.
3. In November 2020, the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 (the Act) was passed by the Scottish Parliament. The main duties on local authorities and education providers in the Act came into effect on 15 August 2022. In October 2021 the Scottish Government published guidance to support institutions in delivering these products.
4. There is therefore now a legal duty on colleges and universities to establish and maintain arrangements for period products to be available:

• Free of charge.
• During term time on their premises.
• In at least one location in every building normally used by students.

5. The Scottish Government has provided funding for both colleges and universities for
   FY 2024-25, totaling £1.2 Funding has been allocated on the same basis as in
   FY 2023-24. A breakdown of funding allocations for individual colleges/regions and universities is shown in Annexes A and B respectively.
6. With the commencement of the Act, the duties on colleges and universities are less onerous than under the previous voluntary policy. For example, in previous SFC guidance, colleges and universities were asked to make products available to students outwith term-time. However, under the Act, the duty is to make products obtainable in at least one location in each building normally used by students, and only during
   term-time.
7. Funding allocations are therefore expected to continue to be sufficient to deliver the duties under the legislation, however, where funding allows, we would encourage institutions to deliver more products for students where possible. We also encourage institutions to work with their Students’ Association where possible to ensure student needs are met.
8. Subject to the acceptance of this offer of funding, allocations for colleges and universities, as set out in Annexes A and B, will be made in December 2024 to deliver the duties.
9. As stated in the recent letter from Scottish Government (Annex C), funding for Access to Free Period Products will be baselined in FY 2025-26 and the additional bid-in fund previously on offer to institutions will no longer be available.

10. This funding must only be used for the purpose(s) for which it is being allocated, as set out in this announcement. SFC retains the right to audit relevant institutional documentation to satisfy itself that this is the case (and the institution undertakes that it will provide such assistance as SFC reasonably requires).
11. Institutions should ensure that a suitable level of provision is available for any students on campus but are not required to provide products (such as through voucher or delivery services) for students who are off campus, including hybrid learning. Students who are at home can contact their local authority to access free period products.

12. Institutions are invited to formally accept this offer of funding by writing to Graeme Scotland, Senior Budgeting & Reporting Officer, email: grantacceptance@sfc.ac.uk by
    28 November 2024.

13. Should you require any further information, please contact Eilidh Fulton, Senior Policy Office, email: efulton@sfc.ac.uk.

Richard Maconachie, FCCA
Director of Finance

* Rounded to the nearest £250

* Rounded to the nearest £250