Interns

A study by the Sutton Trust in 2020 estimates that there were around 100,000 interns in the UK. Of these mostly young people, often working in highly competitive industries like media, fashion and politics, around 39% are unpaid.

These arrangements entrench inequality by creating a pathway into desirable careers which are only available to those with the financial means to survive for a period without any income. The Labour government has committed to banning unpaid internships except when they are part of an education or training course.