MPs back bill to ban hiring of unpaid interns

After its first reading in the House of Commons yesterday, 181 MPs voted for the bill, while 19 voted against.

Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke, who tabled the bill under the 10-minute rule, said: ‘The principle of this bill is to encourage responsible practice which does not inhibit social mobility and limit experience of competitive working environments to the few who can afford to work without pay.’

Barry Sheerman, a Labour MP, opposed the proposed legislation, claiming it would put off ‘enlightened employers’ wanting to give young people ‘a couple of weeks in a business environment’.

The bill will have its second reading debate tomorrow.

Mr Shelbrooke’s bill comes nearly three months after Inside Housing launched its Homes Work campaign, which encourages developers, contractors and housing associations to hire more apprentices.

By the end of last month, social landlords had pledged to provide more than 1,000 new apprenticeships over the next 12 months.