A Labour council has sparked outrage after it restricted an element of its free period products scheme to ‘protected groups’ like LGBTQI+ people, asylum seekers and gypsies.
Newport City Council, which serves an 85.5 per cent white population according to the census, has been accused of ‘discrimination’ and ‘racism’ by white, working-class residents and local politicians for the decision.
Previously, all women could apply to the council to send them free period products as part of the Welsh Government’s ‘Period Proud Wales’ scheme.
But Newport City Council is now restricting this service due to ‘unprecedented demand’ and ‘funding limitations.’
In an email to residents, the council said it was acting ‘in line with Welsh Government guidance regarding priority groups,’ before highlighting only the following groups will be able to apply for free menstrual products to be sent to them.
Reacting, Newport resident Sarah Watson said it was ‘political correctness gone mad’ while Sabrina Parsons branded the move as ‘ridiculous box-ticking'.
Lisa James said: “That is discrimination right there. Every woman should have the same treatment! If that was listed as white female first there would be uproar.”
The email sent to Newport residents about changes to their free period product delivery service
NCC
The move has also been slammed by Newport Council’s Conservative Leader of OppositionMatthew Evans who said: “I thought this was a wind up at first.
“[This decision] is not income based and discriminates against white women on low incomes. Its racist.
“It will do nothing to improve community relations and is ill conceived at best.
“Of course, the Welsh Labour Government in Cardiff Bay will just put their blinkers on and will not be able to watch the opposition because they have banned GB News.”
Laura Anne Jones, Conservative Member of the Senedd, hit out at the move, stating: “Periods affect ALL females, it doesn’t discriminate, and nor should the Welsh Government.”
Not everyone is against the restrictions. Niki Stark argued: “Groups that are statistically less likely to be able to afford sanitary protection and are less likely to have family support to fall back on get prioritised.
“This is how it should be.”
But other Welsh residents disagreed. Bethan Last said: “The only persons on the list who would struggle is the homeless.
“Everyone else on that list can afford the exact same as a female straight white women.
“That's just degrading to women's rights.”
Another local Annie Bartlett said: “If you're white and poor it's hard luck. If you’re transgender women you are eligible. Joke really.”
Conservative Matthew Evans, Leader of the Opposition of Newport Council, blasted the move
Getty/NCC
Newport City Council will continue to supply period products free of charge to schools and community organisations who they say will distribute them ‘regardless of background.’
A council spokesperson said: “For several years, we have provided period products to schools and community organisations so they can be provided to anyone in need of them.
“This is continuing and can be accessed by all girls and women who need them, whatever their background.
“More recently, we began supplying them directly to residents on application so we could help residents even more but, due to unprecedented demand and limited funding, we have had to suspend this service.
“While we do have to regard Welsh government guidance, this was not accurately represented in the email that was sent to some residents, and we regret any upset or confusion this may have caused.”
Responding, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Period products should be available to everyone who needs them.
“Improving access to these products is central to our efforts to promote period dignity across Wales.
“Every local authority receives funding through the Period Dignity Grant to ensure free and dignified access to menstrual products in their communities.”
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It comes as Labour continues to crash in polls in Wales with elections for the Welsh parliament due in May 2026.
Keir Starmer’s party has run the devolved government in Cardiff since its inception 26 years ago. It has also elected a Labour majority in general elections for the last 114-years, voting for the socialist party for 28-straight general elections.
But polls suggest Labour’s grip of Wales is finally weakening. The most recent Senedd polling put Reform equal with Labour on 31 seats.
Change is afoot in Westminster voting intentions too. In December, a UK-wide poll by Find Out Now pollsters put Labour third with just 23 per cent of the vote. The Conservatives topped the poll on 26 per cent with Reform a close second on 24 per cent.
Respected pollsters ElectionMapsUK extrapolated the polling to make an electoral map of Britain. It projected Reform to win 12 seats in Wales, one more than Labour on 11 and ahead of the Tories on seven and Plaid Cymru on three.
One of Labour’s seats flipping to Reform was Newport West and Islwyn where Ruth Jones won a large 8,868 vote majority in July.
