Mary calls for applicants to Parliament's paid internship scheme

Wakefield MP Mary Creagh is calling on Wakefield people who are interested in politics to apply for a new paid internship opportunity working in the House of Commons. The new Speaker’s Parliamentary Placements scheme will offer 12 people the opportunity and support to complete a paid internship in Parliament.

The scheme, which was launched by the Speaker of the House of Commons and Mary’s Labour colleague Hazel Blears, hopes to attract people from diverse backgrounds, in a bid to make Parliament more inclusive and open. Anyone can apply – there are no age restrictions – by visiting the Social Mobility Foundation’s website: www.socialmobility.org.uk

By paying successful applicants up to £17,500 pro rata the scheme will give people the support that they need to work and live in London, and mean that those who aren't able to undertake unpaid internships are not frozen out of politics.

Mary Creagh MP said: “I am delighted to see the launch of the Speaker’s Parliamentary Placements scheme. It is a fantastic programme that will open up internships in Parliament to people from any background, and I hope that people from Wakefield who are passionate about politics will consider applying.”

Hazel Blears, Labour MP for Salford and Eccles, said: “I am absolutely delighted that our scheme has now been launched and is open for applicants. Over the past few months the role of internships has been under intense scrutiny, and those of us who work in politics know too well that the system of unpaid internships freezes people out of political life.

“Our scheme will make Parliament more open and accessible. It will give people from working class backgrounds the opportunities that currently just aren’t open to them, and take an important step towards making our politics more representative of ordinary people."