Labour stops short of outright ban but will issue guidance and stricter enforcement to ensure businesses pay interns minimum wage
3 March 2026
The government has pledged to end illegal unpaid internships through a combination of stricter enforcement and better guidance but will not introduce an outright ban on the practice, despite warnings from charities and unions.
In response to a call for evidence on unpaid internships, the government said it would expand its guidance for employers and increase communications to make it easier for interns to understand their rights and challenge unfair practices.
The Fair Work Agency, which will be established on 7 April, will also be used to “crack down” on unscrupulous employers.
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Unpaid internships are currently illegal except when part of education or a training course, but the term intern has no legal definition. Interns must be paid at least the national minimum wage if they are performing duties that qualify them as workers under employment law.
The government did not rule out additional legislative change if current protections proved insufficient, adding that it was “committed to ensuring young people have a fair chance at the start of their careers”.
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