Welsh Parliament offers free sanitary products to MEN in 'period poverty crackdown'

The Welsh Parliament has been blated by Reform UK's leader in Wales after it revealed it was offering tax-funded sanitary products in men's toilets.

Dan Thomas MS had asked whether female sanitary products were indeed being offered in male toilets across the Senedd.

The Senedd then confirmed it offered sanitary products "across the estate as part of a wider commitment to wellbeing, dignity, and accessibility."

It also claimed the cost of dishing out the products "in all facilities" would be less than the cost of providing sanitary vending machines in the women's toilets alone.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

And it added that the tax-funded provisions were "fully compliant with the recent Supreme Court ruling and the new guidance issued by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission".

In response, Mr Thomas said: "Wow! Free tampons in the men's toilets in the Senedd to tackle 'period poverty'.

"That'll be welcome news for the grand total of zero blokes who get periods!"

The Welsh Reform leader had previously clashed with Cardiff Bay over how long it took to define a woman.

Mr Thomas tabled a question asking ruling party Plaid Cymru for their policy definition of a woman and a man - but it took five days for them to ask for more time, then a further delay before admitting it did not have a single clear definition of male and female.

Writing for GB News, Reform UK's Shadow Communities Minister Cristiana Emsley said the "inability, or unwillingness, to provide a clear definition of what a woman is exposes a fundamental problem at the heart of Plaid Cymru, and increasingly parts of the political left".

"Their refusal to recognise the reality of biological sex undermines the very principle that women deserve legal protections because we are female," she added.

The Senedd had told Mr Thomas following his recent question: "The Commission is also aware that such sanitary provisions can also be of assistance to men dealing with certain health conditions, including certain types of cancer and/or incontinence.

"This is why sanitary disposal facilities are provided in male toilets, allowing privacy for anyone who needs to dispose of personal hygiene or continence products.

READ MORE ON REFORM UK:

• Nigel Farage sends direct message to Restore Britain voters after 'disappointing' Reform UK defeat
• Reform UK's two missed by-election victories and the double defeat sending shockwaves through Nigel Farage's backyard
• Leaders in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in plot to breakup UK if Reform UK win election

"To ensure consistency and ease of access and following consideration of a proposal from the Commission's Trades Union Side (TUS), the decision was, therefore, taken to adopt a consistent approach to the provision of sanitary products in all toilet facilities across the estate.

"The decision also took into account that the annual cost of providing sanitary products in all facilities would be less than the previous annual rental costs incurred by the Commission for the provision of sanitary products’ vending machines in female toilets only."

Sanitary products can be essential to men with health conditions including prostate cancer, urinary incontinence and bladder weakness.

Back in 2023, the then-Labour controlled Senedd was slammed after it was revealed large stocks of tampons were stacked next to the urinals.

The tampons are accompanied by a sign that reads: “These products are provided free of charge for all those that need them, following negotiation on your behalf by the Senedd Commission Trade Union Side."

Gender-critical campaigner Helen Joyce accused Cardiff Bay of "double virtue-signalling", adding: "Can you think of a bigger money-waster, seriously?

"They will be getting messed around, not used, or men will take them home for their wives and daughters and why shouldn’t they?"

She added: "Period poverty is poverty, so it’s a virtue-signalling sort of programme done by the branded manufacturers."

Tom Giffard, then a Welsh Conservative Senedd Member, said: "It’s shocking that the Senedd can’t figure out the difference between a man and a woman, particularly at a time when they’re introducing gender quotas for elections."

A Senedd spokesman said at the time period products are available "for anyone who needs them”.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter