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New scheme offers opportunity to work in Parliament

parliament

STALYBRIDGE and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds is urging people from across Tameside to consider a scheme that will give them the opportunity to work in Parliament.

A career in politics can be an exciting prospect for anyone looking for a fast-paced career that is as demanding as it is rewarding. But despite its broad appeal, numerous studies have shown that careers in politics are dominated by those from more affluent backgrounds.

And the growing popularity of unpaid internships - where young people often work in an MP's office for a number of months without pay - has threatened to restrict access even further. After all it is almost impossible for those who don't already live in London and who cannot afford to work for a significant amount of time without pay to apply.

But this year 12 people from across the country will be offered the chance to complete an eight-month paid internship in Westminster, as part of the Speaker's Parliamentary Placements scheme.

MP Jonathan Reynolds hopes people from across Tameside will consider the valuable opportunity offered by the scheme.

Mr Reynolds said: "The Speaker's Parliamentary Placement scheme will give 12 talented people the chance to work in Parliament for eight months.

"During that time they will get the opportunity to work in an environment that can be fast-paced and exciting.

"And they will develop the skills and experience that will enable them to progress in their chosen profession, whether that turns out to be politics or it doesn't.

"Internships in Westminster can be rewarding and valuable. But too often internships are unpaid, which means they are restricted to a very narrow group of people who can afford to work without pay and - for the most part - to those who already live in London.

"However this paid scheme means the opportunity to work in Westminster is now open to people from ordinary backgrounds, who live across the country.

"Certainly I would never have been able to take up an unpaid internship to work in Parliament - but this would have made it possible. I hope that people across Tameside who have an interest in government or politics will consider applying for a place on this scheme."

Successful candidates will spend six months working for a Member of Parliament and a further two months working for the House of Commons. The expected salary is £17,500 pro rata.

The scheme is open to any applicant who is over the age of 18. And it has been set up by a cross-party group of MPs, which included Salford and Eccles MP Hazel Blears.

Following the launch of the scheme, Ms Blears 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. "

Applications for the scheme can be made through the Social Mobility Foundation's website, at: www.socialmobility.org.uk

Published 22 June, 2011