Alvin Hall: Are graduate interns being exploited?

As the jobs market becomes increasingly competitive many people are willing to go that extra mile to get a job. For many graduates that means signing up to work for free as an intern to gain some practical experience.

This summer an estimated quarter of a million British students and graduates are starting work as interns in hope that it will help them land a job. But how can they make sure they are not being exploited?

Alvin Hall met 24 year-old James McKay, who has just started a three month stint with a graphic design company in east London. But James is not sure he can support himself on the £100-per-week expenses he is being paid, and fears he may have to give up his internship.

Poorer Than Their Parents was first broadcast at 12:00 BST on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday, 23 July 2011. You can listen again on the BBC iPlayer or by downloading the Money Box podcast.