1 in 5 women suffer period poverty in Soctland

Don't see why this is an issue, just man up and deal with it.

Last time I checked, the full 20% VAT is applied to most toiletries, including toilet paper, hand soap and toothpaste, whereas tampons are only at the 5% VAT rate. The term "luxury" is obviously pretty meaningless in the UK tax system as it can apply to just about anything.

Regardless, that amount of tax is so small it's bearly noticeable.

I’d suggest this is an issue of not enough money than giving them out for free

Or more likely: dodgy budgeting. Any of them with an iPhone or latest Samsung: poor budgeting. Any of them who could cut out a pint or two a week: budgeting. Any of them who could smoke one or two fewer **** a day: budgeting.

If only it was that simple. But when you're waiting 5 weeks+ for your benefits to come through, no amount of budgeting on the last few pounds you have left will really help.

If only it was that simple. But when you're waiting 5 weeks+ for your benefits to come through, no amount of budgeting on the last few pounds you have left will really help.

Assuming all unemployed Scottish women are in the 20% that covers, at most, about 8% and that is assuming that all unemployed people in Scotland are women. Further the whole 5 weeks argument requires, in most cases, poor budgeting to be in a situation where that is a problem because what does a rational individual do when they have an income? They set aside money for the rainy day.

You can’t set aside money on benefits don’t take the piss.

No, you do it before you're on benefits or make use of parental assistance, the 5 week argument is only there when somebody starts claiming. Before they claim they were either in work and can put money aside, or were a student and in the majority of cases will be able to get an amount of parental support.

That’s if they weren’t struggling before....

Things aren’t as easy as you make out

Full time minimum wage works nets about £15k pa
One bed rents in Edinburgh or Glasgow city centres is £600-750 a month of £ 7,200-£9000 per annum. This drops to £400-600 a month (£4,800-7,200 pa) outside the city centres
Transport could be as low as generally free or about £50 per month for a travel pass, £600 p/a
Utilities you're looking at about £100 per month, call it £1500 for the whole year including internet

Here we have non food "essentials" covered with £6,300-£11,100 spent leaving about 4-9k

Food wise you can healthily eat on £20 a week or about £1k p/a still leaving £3-8k p/a

Budgeting, we're talking about Scotland, not London.

Assuming all unemployed Scottish women are in the 20% that covers, at most, about 8% and that is assuming that all unemployed people in Scotland are women. Further the whole 5 weeks argument requires, in most cases, poor budgeting to be in a situation where that is a problem because what does a rational individual do when they have an income? They set aside money for the rainy day.

When you transfer from JSA to universal credit, you'll be waiting 5 weeks too. Just how does one save on £57 a week?

And then there are those who are waiting months for it to be sorted.

There’s all sorts of bills not listed there and it assumes no pre existing commitments of debts.

The world isn’t as straight forward as you’re making it

List the bills not covered by gas and electric that are not discretionary spending?

How about council tax, clothing and children for a start

You can’t set aside money on benefits don’t take the piss.

Full time minimum wage works nets about £15k pa
One bed rents in Edinburgh or Glasgow city centres is £600-750 a month of £ 7,200-£9000 per annum. This drops to £400-600 a month (£4,800-7,200 pa) outside the city centres
Transport could be as low as generally free or about £50 per month for a travel pass, £600 p/a
Utilities you're looking at about £100 per month, call it £1500 for the whole year including internet

Here we have non food "essentials" covered with £6,300-£11,100 spent leaving about 4-9k

Food wise you can healthily eat on £20 a week or about £1k p/a still leaving £3-8k p/a

Budgeting, we're talking about Scotland, not London.

Child benefit