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Unpaid Work: Social Class

Asked by Dame Chi OnwurahLabourWomen and EqualitiesTabled Answered 8 May 2025UIN 904019

The question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of levels of access to internships and work placements by people from different socio-economic backgrounds.

Answered by Bridget Phillipson

Our Opportunity Mission will break down the barriers to opportunity for everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background. This means ensuring that everyone can access training opportunities, including internships and work placements, that support them to thrive in work and in life.

That is why the Government is following through with our manifesto commitment for two weeks’ worth of work experience for all pupils in secondary school and has recently invested £18m in supported internships for those with SEND. We are embedding work placements within T Levels and we’ve also announced funding for 40,000 industry placements as part of the Construction Skills Package

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