Making Work Pay: call for evidence on unpaid internships
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
This call for evidence sought views and evidence from employers and businesses, employees and workers, and other stakeholders on key issues relating to unpaid internships and other roles which may be unpaid or paid below the National Minimum Wage. It aimed to understand current practices in more detail, including the reasons for any non-compliance with National Minimum Wage legislation, and the scale of non-compliance.
The call for evidence ran from 17 July 2025 to 9 October 2025. Responses were invited through multiple channels to ensure accessibility and ease of participation. Stakeholders could submit their views online via the survey link on GOV.UK, by email, or by writing to the Department for Business and Trade. A total of 358 responses were received.
The government’s response sets out the actions the government will be taking, which have been informed by the responses to this call for evidence.
Original call for evidence
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’s 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
Updates to this page
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The government response to 'Making Work Pay: call for evidence on unpaid internships' has been added to the page.
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First published.