Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Unpaid internships

02 March 2026 · Department for Business and Trade

Proposed by Kate Dearden Lab Co-op Halifax

Employment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The government is committed to banning unpaid internships except for those part of formal educational or training courses.
  • The government will publish its response to a call for evidence on unpaid internships.
  • Measures will be introduced to prevent employers from exploiting young people by misclassifying them.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the government's commitment to ban unpaid internships except for those part of formal educational or training courses.

Action requested

The government is publishing its response to a call for evidence on unpaid internships and will introduce measures to prevent employers from exploiting young people by misclassifying them as volunteers or work shadowers to avoid paying the National Minimum Wage.

Key facts

  • The Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay aims to tackle low pay, poor working conditions, and poor job security.
  • The call for evidence related to unpaid internships and internships paid below the National Minimum Wage.
  • The government will ensure employers can offer genuine opportunities like work shadowing or work experience placements without leading to exploitation.
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