The SNP government has rejected legal plans to offer free sanitary products for all women who need them.
Aileen Campbell told Holyrood the legislation drawn up by Labour is not needed one day after the Record revealed a new row over funding the universal service.
Campbell repeated her scathing verdict on finances at a parliament committee on Wednesday, warning it could cost more than £24 million a year instead of the estimated £9.7 million.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon hoped to convince the SNP to back her plan, saying it will build on the government’s own targeted scheme.
After her plan was slated by Campbell, Lennon said: “It’s deeply disappointing that the SNP government has chosen not to support my Bill to make access to period products a legal right for anyone who needs them. This is a U-turn on SNP policy that I hope will be reconsidered.
“Many women and girls are still being referred to food banks and charities to get the period products they need, despite the welcome action from the Scottish Government to introduce free provision in schools and other community settings. Others are falling through the gaps and continue to experience period poverty.”
Campbell said the government is already taking “significant and world leading” action to combat so-called period poverty.
Free period products are available through secondary and primary schools across Scotland and in all 19 universities and 26 colleges, potentially helping almost 400,000 students.
The Scottish Government also works with hundreds of community groups to offer free products.
Private firms are also becoming involved, with some football clubs and shopping centres making sanitary products freely available.
Campbell said: “We do believe we are beginning to see a culture change and there is a risk that introducing legislation now would encourage people to meet only minimum standard, compared to what we are seeing the public, private and third sectors, where organisations are going above and beyond.”
