UK: National Minimum Wage: Government Published Latest Position on Unpaid Internships

Authors: Robert Hill and Charlotte Stern 

Last year, the government published a call for evidence on unpaid internships with the stated purpose of building up a picture of unpaid work in the workplace and gathering views on unpaid work being carried out, for example internships, work trials, voluntary workers and work shadowing.

Having reviewed the responses, the government has concluded that it will tackle the issues, particularly related to ‘unpaid illegal internships’ by reviewing and expanding its guidance to ensure employers understand their obligations, crack down on unscrupulous employers via the new Fair Work Agency (due to begin operating on 7 April 2026) and issuing clearer communications.

Practical point

• Most employers are already doing this but just sure that your interns are paid at least the National Minimum Wage and that you only use voluntary workers if you are a charity, voluntary organisation, an associated fundraising body, or a statutory body, otherwise the work would attract pay.
• Remember that where an organisation takes on e.g. school age work experience students, make sure that they are truly ‘shadowing’ rather than working otherwise they will also be entitled to the National Minimum Wage.

Making Work Pay: call for evidence on unpaid internships government response