Leeds Beckett lecturer backs calls for all interns to be paid

BUSINESSES who rely on unpaid interns are harming social mobility and the job prospects of young people from the North of England, a university academic has warned.
Leeds Beckett lecturer Robert Minton TaylorLeeds Beckett lecturer Robert Minton Taylor
Leeds Beckett lecturer Robert Minton Taylor

Leeds Beckett lecturer Robert Minton Taylor has welcomed a report published today by the Sutton Trust which calls for all interns to be paid at least the minimum wage and preferably the living wage for the work they provide.

The social mobility charity said almost a third of university graduate interns are working for nothing in a bid to kick-start their career, even though it can cost them hundreds of pounds a month. At any one time, there are at least 21,000 people working as unpaid interns in the UK, according to analysis by the Sutton Trust.

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The charity warned that unpaid internships are increasingly seen as the first step towards a career in highly competitive professions, such as journalism, politics and law, but many people may be losing out because they cannot afford to work for free.

There is no Yorkshire figure in the report but it says a six-month unpaid placement in Manchester would cost more than £4,700.

The report calls for all internships longer than one month to be paid at least the national minimum of £6.50 per hour, and preferably the living wage of £7.85.

Mr Minton Taylor, a lecturer in public relations at Leeds Beckett’s Business School said: “The Sutton Trust is absolutely right to highlight the damage this causes to social mobility.

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“Especially for many young people from the North of England. Trying to get into a profession through an unpaid internship in London is a complete non starter. Even living on the minimum wage there would be a struggle.” Mr Minton Taylor also voiced concerns that in some cases unpaid interns were not recruited officially and were not “on the books.”

The Sutton Trust has said that all internship positions should be advertised publicly, rather than being filled informally.

A new survey conducted by the Trust found that almost seven in 10 people in England believe that unpaid internships are unfair because only those from wealthy families are likely to be able to work for a significant period without pay.

Dr Lee Elliot Major, director of development and policy at the Sutton Trust, said: “Today’s research shows the cost of taking on an internship without pay is beyond the means of the vast majority of individuals. Paying all interns who work for over a month the minimum wage would significantly improve access to these placements for those from more modest backgrounds.”

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A Business Department spokesman said: “Internships should be open to everyone in a fair and transparent way.

“Anyone who is a worker is entitled to be paid at least the minimum wage, including if they are an intern.”

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