NAO Internship Eligibility Sparks Equality Act Debate

On 10 June 2026 the National Audit Office (NAO) announced a six-week, £25,089 paid summer internship that will be open only to candidates who are Black, female, or from low-income backgrounds. The eligibility rule excludes applicants who are white males from middle- to upper-class backgrounds, regardless of merit.

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The NAO’s criteria rely on a provision of the Equality Act 2010 that permits public bodies to take positive-action measures to address under-representation of specific ethnic or gender groups in recruitment.

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The programme is promoted by the NAO, whose spokesperson highlighted its role in providing audit-sector experience. Reform UK politicians Zia Yusuf, Shadow Home Secretary, and Suella Braverman, former Homes Secretary and Shadow Education and Equalities Minister, have publicly criticised the rule. The internship lasts six weeks, offers a £25,089 stipend, and is presented as a pathway to networking and career advancement within the audit sector.

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The NAO spokesperson said the scheme offers valuable work experience and opens doors for people under-represented in the sector, including those from less affluent backgrounds. Reform UK officials argued that limiting the internship to demographic groups amounts to blatant discrimination and conflicts with merit-based hiring principles. Braverman added that a Reform UK government would repeal the Equality Act provisions that enable such restrictions and restore meritocracy.

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Reform UK representatives described the eligibility rule as anti-white, anti-merit ideology masquerading as diversity and inclusion. They contend that the approach creates a two-tier system that disadvantages native white males and undermines fairness in public-sector recruitment.

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• “An NAO spokesman said: “Our long-running diversity internship schemes offer valuable work experience in the audit sector.” — NAO spokesperson

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• “The internship opens doors to people who are under-represented in the sector including anyone from less affluent backgrounds.” — NAO spokesperson

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• “This is anti-white, anti-merit ideology masquerading as diversity and inclusion,” — Zia Yusuf, Reform UK Shadow Home Secretary

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• “We will ensure that no one – be it pregnant women, disabled people, white men or ethnic minorities- is discriminated against because of their personal characteristics,” — Suella Braverman, Reform UK Shadow Education and Equalities Minister

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The episode illustrates the tension between diversity-focused positive-action policies and accusations of reverse discrimination, raising questions about the legal scope of the Equality Act’s provisions. Reform UK has pledged to repeal the relevant clause if it gains power, while the NAO has not signalled any change.

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