In Plain English
AI-generatedThe Prohibition of Unpaid Internships Bill would ban unpaid internships in the UK and set rules about when interns must be paid. It aims to ensure people doing internship work receive proper compensation and provides enforcement where organisations fail to pay interns.
Key Points
- Bans unpaid internships and sets rules on when payment is required.
- Applies to employers, placement providers and organisations running internship schemes.
- Defines who counts as an intern for the purposes of the law.
- Creates penalties and enforcement powers for organisations that do not comply.
Progress
The bill is currently at the Second Reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it would move on to detailed examination in Committee, then to Report and Third Reading, before going to the House of Lords.
Who is affected?
Current and prospective interns (especially students and young people)Employers and organisations that run internship schemesPlacement providers and recruitment agencies that arrange internshipsUniversities and higher education institutions that facilitate internshipsTraining providers and related apprenticeship schemes linked to internships
Generated 21 February 2026
