Apprenticeships Earnings will Increase
The minimum weekly earnings for all apprentices in England will be increased from £80 to £95 a week from August 2009. The Skills Secretary of State, John Denham and Children's Secretary Ed Balls made the announcement following a review of apprentice pay carried out this year.
The review found that the average net earnings of an apprentice each week is £170. However the increase in the minimum weekly earnings will benefit an estimated 26,000 people, around 10 percent apprentices.
In a speech to the Trade Union Congress Mr Denham said: "Last year we referred the exemption of apprentices from the National Minimum Wage to the Low Pay Commission. Today the average apprentice is paid over £170 a week. Without prejudicing the work of the Low Pay Commission, I am announcing today that in England, minimum apprenticeship pay will rise from £80 to £95 per week during next year.