UNITE INTERNS AGREEMENT

Early day motion 1692, tabled 17 June 2009 by Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 60 members.

That this House notes the important contribution interns working for hon. Members make; further notes internships in Parliament offer young people a transformative insight into political life and an important gateway into politics; believes that people from all around the UK, and from diverse backgrounds should have an equal opportunity to take part in internships for hon. Members; further believes hon. Members should be leading the country through providing best practice internships; welcomes the new Interns Agreement launched by the Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch, a document analogous to an employment contract, which sets out what both the hon. Member and the intern can expect from the internship; urges all hon. Members to use an Interns Agreement to ensure that their interns are offered a fulfilling and fair experience with the opportunity for training and development; and urges the House to consider bringing forward measures similar to those of the European Parliament to offer well structured, resourced and transparently advertised internship programmes.

Signatures by party: Labour 30, Liberal Democrat 24, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, Scottish National Party 1.