NorthLink offers free sanitary products on board boats

NORTHLINK has become the first ferry operator in Scotland to offer free access to sanitary products.

It follows a move from the Scottish Government to make products free to people on low incomes and in education in a bid to tackle “period poverty”.

Tampons or towels are now available from free to vend dispensers in the ladies toilet on all of Serco NorthLink’s passenger boats.

They will be supplied by social enterprise Community Food Initiative North East (CFINE), which managed the ‘Access to Sanitary Products’ pilot in Aberdeen.

Scottish communities secretary Aileen Campbell said: “I am proud that the Scottish Government has taken world-leading action to provide free access to sanitary products for those in education and on low incomes.

“NorthLink Ferries are to be commended for also taking such positive action and providing free products to their passengers. It’s great to see this happening in more public places.”