Confusion over minimum wage rules

A QUARTER of employers of apprentices in the East Midlands are unsure of minimum wage rules research has found.

The findings from Learning and Work Institute come after a government survey showed one in five apprentices across England reported being paid less than the minimum wage they are legally entitled to.

The government is expanding apprenticeships, aiming for three million by 2020 and introducing an Apprenticeship Levy requiring large firms to invest.

But the research raises concerns over whether the government will hit its target and the quality of some apprenticeships.

Worryingly, 34 per cent of East Midlands employers said they had not recently employed apprentices and would not consider doing so.

Learning and Work Institute surveyed 2,000 employers across England, finding high awareness of the National Minimum Wage, but low awareness of the rules for apprentices.

Among East Midlands employers who were either employers of apprentices or had recently been, 41 per cent were unaware apprenticeships required 20 per cent off-thejob training, 26 per cent did not know this off the job training needed to be paid and 25 per cent did not know minimum wage rates rose after the first year of an apprentice- ship

Apprentices said they believed compliance with rules was the responsibility of the employer adding they would not feel confident raising concerns about pay.

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of Learning and Work Institute, said: “The expansion of apprenticeships is a good thing, it can help us meet our post-Brexit skills needs and give people the chance to earn and learn.

“However, it is clear we need to do more to ensure everyone is aware of the rules, for example we think training providers could play a bigger role in making sure employers know the minimum wage rules.”