Open call for evidence

Making Work Pay: call for evidence on unpaid internships

From:
Department for Business and Trade
Published
17 July 2025

Summary

We 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.

This call for evidence closes at

Call for evidence description

The government has committed to banning unpaid internships, unless they are part of an educational or training course. This is part of the government鈥檚 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

We 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.

Documents

PDF, 361 KB, 43 pages

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Updates to this page

Published 17 July 2025

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