The government are seeking evidence and views on unpaid internships and internships paid below the National Minimum Wage (NMW), and other roles which may be unpaid or paid below the NMW.
Call for evidence
They have committed to banning unpaid internships, unless they are part of an educational or training course.
This is part of the Plan for Change, specifically on breaking down barriers to opportunity.
The call for evidence focuses on:
- unpaid internships and internships paid below the National Minimum Wage (NMW)
- unpaid work trials and work trials paid below the NMW
- voluntary workers
- volunteers
- work shadowing
They welcome views from all stakeholders, particularly individuals who have personal experience of these issues, worker groups, employers and businesses, and individuals or organisations with subject matter expertise.
Making Work Pay: call for evidence on unpaid internships
PAYadvice.UK 17/7/2025