Apprentice National Minimum Wage is Increasing

Last updated 21 Jul 2017

Good news for all you wannabe apprentices out there: the Government has announced an increase in the Apprentice Minimum Wage, as well as other incentives for employers to take on apprentices.

Following National Apprenticeship Week, the Government announced today that the National Minimum Wage for apprentices will increase to £3.50, from April this year.

This is the largest real-terms increase in the National Minimum Wage since 2008, and over 1.4 million of Britain’s lowest-paid workers are set to benefit.

The rate applies to apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year of their training. All other apprentices are entitled to the national minimum wage for their age.

The new rates were recommended by the Low Pay Commission - the independent body that advises the government on the minimum wage - but the government has gone further than the 7p an hour increase suggested for apprentices.

The Government also announced the introduction of a new digital Apprenticeship Voucher, giving employers more control over their funding.

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