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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Unpaid Work

Asked by Charlie DewhirstConservativeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 23961

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any internship schemes managed by (a) his Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies are restricted to applicants on the basis of (i) ethnicity, (ii) social class and (iii) both.

Answered by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Alongside the Summer Internship Programme, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has participated in the Care Leaver Internship Scheme during the last 12 months.

The 2026 Summer Internship Programme was restricted to candidates from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The Care Leaver Internship Programme is restricted to applicants aged 18 to 30 who are entitled to a care leaver support package.

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