New guidance on intern payments

Businesses have been given clearer guidance on the need to pay people who carry out internships, work experience or work placements for them.

The updated information says people taken on on this basis may be entitled to the national minimum wage (NMW), and it clarifies when this would be the case.

The guidance notes that entitlement to the payment does not depend on what job title they are given, but on whether their specific arrangements make them a worker for NMW purposes.

Edward Davey, the Government’s employment relations minister, said: “Internships and work experience of all forms offer an excellent opportunity in helping to bridge the gap between education and the workplace. And for businesses it allows them access to a wide talent pool of some of our best and brightest who didn’t take the traditional route into a job.

“Fairness though is absolutely paramount with all placements. When a worker is entitled to the minimum wage, they should be paid it and we will continue to enforce the law. This publication will help clarify this for employers and will also make sure that all interns and those on work experience placements have a better understanding of their entitlement to the minimum wage.”

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