Sainsbury's unpaid work scheme draws political criticism

Andy Burnham and Sadiq Khan have faced criticism following their promotion of a scheme in which Sainsbury’s will offer 10,000 work experience placements to young people starting in October. The initiative, supported by the government to tackle youth unemployment, specifically targets those receiving free school meals.

Critics, including Green Party leader Martin Abrams, have accused the move of providing free labour to a billion-pound company, suggesting it perpetuates neoliberalism rather than providing quality apprenticeships. Concerns have also been raised regarding the timing of the announcement, noting that Sainsbury’s laid off 3,000 workers in 2025 despite reporting over £1bn in operating profits.

Additional scrutiny has been directed at the political connections between the company and the Labour Party, noting that Lord Sainsbury is a major donor. In response, a Sainsbury’s spokesperson stated that the placements are intended for CV-building workshops and will not replace paid employees or fill existing roles.