Union calls on DVLA to provide free sanitary products amid cost of living crisis

A union is calling for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to provide free sanitary products for its staff, as some women struggle to afford sanitary towels amid the cost of living crisis.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union says it has been asked to provide a business case to the government agency explaining why sanitary towels should be provided.

The union told Sky News it has spent hundreds of pounds to give thousands of free sanitary products to women since the end of last year, but was not able to afford to keep doing so - and has been requesting help since last September.

One woman spoke of how some people have had to go home as their periods have started and they are not able to afford the sanitary products provided in paid-for vending machines.

Amy Williams, a single mother who works part-time and makes around £16,000 a year, spoke of how she has had to go home because she cannot afford tampons or pads if her period starts unexpectedly.

The PCS member said: "Because of a health condition I have, my periods aren't regular.

"So if I expect to come on next week, but I come on tomorrow, I'm not quite prepared.

"Or I've not had anything in the house prepared - because sometimes the weekly shop, the money goes on food for the kids, food for the house, it doesn't go on sanitary products - that doesn't fit within my £50 to £60 limit that I've got for this week.

"You can't expect to sit there and just bleed through onto your chair.

"So I've gone home, and it's been marked down as sick."

She said women going through menopause have had similar experiences due to the irregularity of their periods.

'It's dehumanising'

Buying a single pad or tampon costs 50p or £1 from the toilet dispensers, she said.

The union told Sky News the machines are operated by an external contractor and not the DVLA.

"It's dehumanising," Amy added.

"I know the government has taken tax off period products, but when it's the case of buying food for your children or on a £4 or £5 pack of pads or tampons, whatever you use, you know, sometimes that decision has to be made."

The union compared the situation with another government agency, Job Centres, which provide female staff with sanitary products free of charge.

It argues the DVLA should do the same, as there are a high number of female staff at the agency, and it is relatively small in terms of how many people work at the south Wales site.

Carolyn Harris, the Labour MP for Swansea East, told Sky News: "I'm disappointed that management at DVLA is not recognising that the cost of living crisis is impacting staff.

"Period poverty is a very real issue, and providing staff with free sanitary products is a respectful and quite honestly a basic gesture.

"Many companies do this, and I'd have thought the DVLA would have responded swiftly and in a more positive and constructive manner."

PCS staff at the DVLA are striking next week over pay.

The union's general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "No one with a period should be caught short - this provision should be free in workplace toilets the same way toilet paper and soap are made available.

"It's shameful that our reps feel they have to bring sanitary products to work to help out their colleagues during the cost of living crisis.

"Other employers provide sanitary products for staff, so why can't the Department for Transport?"

A DVLA spokesperson said: "The Public and Commercial Services union has asked us to provide free sanitary products for staff and we are reviewing this request."

-sky news