From 1st October 2014 the National Minimum Wage for apprentices aged 16 to 18 was increased to £2.73, although the majority of employers already tend to pay more than this. Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat Business Secretary is recommending, however, that this National Minimum Wage be increased by more than £1 per hour to help encourage more young people to take up apprenticeships. Mr Cable will be presenting his plans to increase the National Minimum Wage for apprentices from £2.73 per hour to £3.79 per hour to the Low Pay Commission (LPC).

These recommendations will be reviewed by the LPC who will make their own recommendations for all forms of National Minimum Wage rates in Spring 2015. Government will then review the LPC’s recommendations and decide on any changes to be made.