Why Interns Need a Fair Wage
Article
This briefing paper examines the role and nature of unpaid internships in the UK.
Many well-qualified, talented and passionate young people lack the resources to pay their own way through an unpaid internship.
We argue that the informal system of unpaid internships operating in many of our most exciting and influential industries actively excludes young people who come from less well-off families.
We propose a gradual phasing out of unpaid internships and discuss some options for ensuring that more young people have access to paid internship opportunities.
Published by ippr and Internocracy
Related items

Taxing choices: Taking the public’s temperature ahead of the budget
The stakes for a government are rarely higher than at a budget. Every chancellor has dealt with this differently. Ken Clarke would draft his budget speech with cigars and whisky, Gordon Brown pored over every word in what officials called…
Great expectations: Rejuvenating the national debate in Scotland
Fresh IPPR Scotland polling shows that politicians must raise their game if next year’s election is a to be serious debate about the challenges facing Scotland and potential solutions.
Unfinished business: Redressing inequality in British policy and Black lives
As conversations about race and equality continue to evolve, Black History Month remains a powerful invitation to pause, reflect, and recommit to progress.