Unpaid Internships

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts Excerpts

Tuesday 12th March 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Henley]

I note that the noble Lord says that his policy is to legislate in this area. He quoted Matthew Taylor, who made it quite clear that:

“There have been calls for a separate ‘intern’ status in employment law but we believe this is unnecessary. We believe that the law is clear as it currently stands. If a person is obtaining something of value from an internship, they are most likely to be a worker and entitled to the National Minimum or Living Wage”.


We do not believe it is necessary to legislate. I will certainly look at whatever research we are doing in this area and let the noble Lord know.

[Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts (Con)]

My Lords, in any action my noble friend takes, will he bear in mind the impact on the charity and voluntary sector? A lot of charity and voluntary groups like to take on interns, and do so to the mutual benefit of both sides, but not all charities—especially smaller ones—can afford to pay.

[Lord Henley]

I note what my noble friend says and that he feels that charities might not be able to afford to pay, but if people are offering something that amounts to work, the simple fact is that the law says that they should be paid. That is where I stand.