The minimum weekly pay for apprentices on Learning and Skills Council apprentice contracts has risen from £80 per week to £95 per week, from this month onwards (August 2009). Apprentices aged 16-18, and those aged 19 and over in their first year as an apprentice, are currently exempt from the National Minimum Wage, although employers are now required to pay them at least £95 per week.. For apprentices over the age of 18 who have completed their first year, the current minimum wage for their age group also applies. The National Minimum Wage until October 2009 is as follows:
– The main rate for workers aged 22 and over is £5.73 an hour
– The development rate for 18-21 year olds is £4.77. an hour
– The development rate for 16-17 year old is £3.53 an hour
– The rate of the accommodation offset increased to £31.22 per week (£4.46 per day). From 1 October 2009
– Adult rate (workers aged 22 and over) will increase to £5.80
– Development rate for 18-21 year olds will increase to £4.83
– Development rate for 16-17 year olds will increase to £3.57
– The rate for the accommodation offset will increase to £31.57 per week (£4.51 per day). The government is planning on introducing a National Minimum Wage for apprentices under the minimum wage framework. The Low Pay Commission have welcomed this and are due to report back to government by the end of February 2010. For more information on employment issues, including our employee handbook, disciplinary guide and frequently asked questions, visit the