Written question asked by Mike Wood (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 June 2026. It was answered by Satvir Kaur (Labour) on Thursday, 25 June 2026 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Civil Service: Unpaid Work

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the policy of the Civil Service People Group is on (a) departments and (b) Arm's Length Bodies restricting access to internship schemes on the basis of (i) race and (ii) ethnicity.

Answer: Individual departments are responsible for recruitment decisions and they are required to meet all obligations of relevant legislation, including the Equality Act 2010. If a department wants to restrict an internship programme to a specific group or groups, it would be expected to ensure on a case by case basis that it complies with the relevant legislation. As a result, as was the case under the previous administration, no central guidance is provided on this matter.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 11148
Session: 2026-27
Related items: Attorney General's Office: Unpaid Work
Friday, 28 August 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Civil service Ethnic groups Unpaid work
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk