Alan Milburn supports the PRCA's campaign to end unpaid internships

London, 08/06/2011 - The PRCA, the UK's leading body representing PR consultancies and in-house communications teams, today called on its members to commit to paying interns and to sign up to the Social Mobility Business Compact for fairer, more open internships.

Francis Ingham, PRCA Chief Executive, said: “Using interns to replace staff is short-sighted exploitation. We provide valuable counsel and should be prepared to pay those who contribute accordingly. Not doing so cheapens our profession.

“The Access Commission will, this summer, make a series of recommendations to improve the diversity of the PR industry and in particular, level the playing field for those entering the industry.”

Alan Milburn, the Government's Independent Reviewer on Social Mobility and Child Poverty, said: “If bright young people find the gates of opportunity closed to them as they try to enter the workplace, then this is not only an ethical failing but also an economic failure to take advantage of the rich pool of talent we have at our disposal. This is why it is unacceptable that too often internships go to the few who have the right connections, rather than the many who have talent.

“I would urge all businesses to consider their policies on internships and to ensure that everyone, irrespective of background, has a chance to access the opportunities they provide.”

The Social Mobility Business Compact aims to improve skills and create jobs for all young people by helping them to get a foot on the employment ladder. Currently unpaid internships discriminate against those who cannot afford to commute or to live at home with their parents. Paid internships will prevent the exploitation of graduates in an economic climate where graduates currently have no choice but to apply for unpaid work to help them gain relevant experience and employable skills. Importantly, paid internships enable businesses to employ the most talented individuals, rather than the best connected.

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Notes for Editors

Media enquiries - please contact Tom Hawkins, Research and Policy Executive - tom.hawkins@prca.org.uk / 020 7233 6026

About the PRCA

Who we are: Founded in 1969, the PRCA is the professional body that represents UK PR consultancies, in-house communications teams and PR freelancers.  The PRCA promotes all aspects of public relations and internal communications work, helping teams and individuals maximise the value they deliver to clients and organisations.

What we do: The Association exists to raise standards in PR and communications, providing members with industry data, facilitating the sharing of communications best practice and creating networking opportunities.

How we do it and make a difference: All PRCA members are bound by a professional charter and codes of conduct, and benefit from exceptional training. The Association also works for the greater benefit of the industry, sharing best practice and lobbying on the industry's behalf e.g. fighting the NLA's digital licence.

Who we represent: The PRCA represents many of the major consultancies in the UK, and currently has more than 230 agency members from around the world including the majority of the top 100 UK consultancies. We also represent around 60 in-house communications teams from multinationals, UK charities and leading UK public sector organisations

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