This week the Low Pay Commission (LPC) put forward its recommendations to government for changes to the national minimum wage which includes apprenticeship wages.
As well as its recommendation for the adult rate, the Low Pay Commission has also recommended:
- an increase of 3.3 per cent to £5.30 in the Youth Development Rate, which applies to 18-20 year olds;
- an increase of 2.2 per cent to £3.87 in the 16-17 Year Old Rate;
- an increase of 2.6 per cent to £2.80 in the Apprentice Rate, which applies to all apprentices in year one of an apprenticeship, and 16-18 year old apprentices in any year of an apprenticeship;
- an increase of 27 pence in the accommodation offset to £5.35. The offset is the one benefit-in-kind that can count towards the minimum wage. This is the maximum daily sum employers who provide accommodation can deduct towards those costs.
Our young members have been telling Youth Employment UK that low wages are a barrier for some of them when looking for work.  Some young people find themselves in situations where they cannot afford to take the minimum apprenticeship wage that is currently £2.73 an hour.  Where young people have to find travel costs or help support the family income this pay rate can be a real turn off.
We are running a members survey on the new recommended apprenticeship rate, would you take a job for £2.80 per hour? Sign in to the members area and tell us today.
Fair Employment is one of the key principles in YEUK’s Youth Friendly Charter and calls on 
organisations to consider removing barriers for young people and ensuring that young people are fairly rewarded for the work they do. Â Those employers who do seek to pay over the minimum wage for apprentices see a greater return and lower attrition rates.
Our member and supporter AELP is recommending that the Secretary of State looks at a further increase to the apprenticeship wage over and above the recommendation from the LPC and calls for consideration of a rate more inline with the Youth Development Rate.
Find out how YEUK can help you to review your youth engagement and employment strategy email: info@youthemployment.org.uk
