According to the TUC, young women will particularly benefit from the increase as they are most likely to receive the minimum pay rate. The latest Government figures show that the average pay rate for female apprentices in hairdressing and childcare is less than £95 a week. However, the average weekly pay for apprentices in general is more than £170 a week.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber commented: “The majority of apprentices are paid well above the minimum rate. But for many trainees, particularly young women, struggling on around £80 a week, an extra £15 will go a long way.
“The next move must be to protect apprentices with the minimum wage so that employers cannot exploit young trainees by ignoring the minimum pay rate. At a small cost to employers, this would improve the reputation of apprenticeships and encourage more young people to enrol.”
For the latest minimum wage rates *click here*
