Our submission to the Department for Business and Trade’s call for evidence on unpaid internships
To respond to this call for evidence on unpaid internships and other roles which may be unpaid or paid below the National Minimum Wage, we launched a survey with our members to inform our response. Our survey sought to understand how organisations use internships, including the roles offered and approaches to pay, to gather views on the clarity of current legislation, and to explore the potential impact of proposed reforms banning unpaid internships.
We welcome the proposal to ban unpaid internships. We also believe that additional action is needed to unlock meaningful opportunities for all young people.
Internships remain a common entry route into many professions, with around 40% of young graduates having completed one, but access to these opportunities is deeply unequal.
Updated guidance and practical support for employers are essential to ensure internships are not only paid, but also fair, transparent, and inclusive.
The CIPD has developed a set of principles for effective internship programmes, to help ensure internships provide genuine development opportunities and act as a stepping stone into sustained employment, rather than reinforcing existing inequalities.
Read our full response to the call for evidence, including the survey findings, on the link below.
Our submission to the Department for Work and Pensions
Our response to the Office for Equality and Opportunity’s call for evidence: Equality Law
Our submission to the Office for Equality and Opportunity
Our submission to the House of Lords Autism Act 2009 Committee
