Last week, we discussed a proposal from the CIPD, introducing the possibility of a ‘training wage’ for interns. On top of this, our blog yesterday mentioned the worrying factor that more and more students are being deterred from unpaid Internships – due to the costs involved.

Martin Shankleman, the Employment correspondent for BBC News, has highlighted a report that suggests “many young people working for free as interns are legally entitled to be paid.” These young people “could launch tribunal claims for back wages.”

“Think tank the IPPR and campaign group Internocracy argue private sector firms are “almost certainly” breaking the law by offering unpaid internships. The report says many volunteers could be legally defined as workers under national minimum wage legislation. It warns the current position leaves employers open to compensation claims.”

With all the current media regarding internships and whether they should be paid, it is likely that some changes will be made in the near future. There are arguments for both side of the story – but one thing is clear; Interns offer value to companies. Whether this value should be rewarded with pay, is the debate.

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