We support schools in addressing the needs of disadvantaged pupils through the provision of the Pupil Premium, equivalent to almost £2.5bn of additional funding this year alone. Schools have discretion over how they use their funding and can make sanitary products available, if they identify this as a barrier to attendance.

Work gives people the best opportunity to move out of poverty. We’re committed to helping people find work through a wide-range of support targeted to each individual’s personal circumstances. As a safeguard for people needing more support, we have a well-established system of hardship payments, benefit advances and budgeting loans.