Unpaid Internships Continue to Exclude Working-Class Youth from Career Opportunities

A recent report by the Sutton Trust highlights that unpaid and underpaid internships are significantly hindering social mobility for young people from working-class backgrounds in the UK. Despite laws implemented in 2018 designed to combat this issue, 61% of internships remain unpaid or underpaid, primarily benefiting middle-class graduates.

The study reveals a widening gap in internship participation, with 55% of middle-class graduates having undertaken an internship compared to only 36% from working-class families—an increase in disparity from 12 to 19 percentage points since the last survey. Nick Harrison, Chief Executive of the Sutton Trust, emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that many young people cannot afford to accept unpaid positions, effectively locking them out of vital career opportunities.

The research shows that graduates often rely on financial support from family or personal savings to accept unpaid internships. The sectors with the highest prevalence of unpaid positions include real estate, construction, IT, finance, and legal services. Conversely, the retail sector tends to offer minimum wage payments more frequently.

To address this growing concern, the Sutton Trust is calling for a ban on unpaid internships lasting four weeks or longer and for stricter enforcement of existing minimum wage laws. Survey data indicates that 38% of employers in Great Britain support banning unpaid internships, while 30% advocate for better enforcement of wage laws.

Harrison stresses the need for employers to ensure equitable access to internships by publicly advertising all positions and diversifying their recruitment strategies.