Apprentices are urged to claim cash they are entitled to

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) encouraged Lanarkshire apprentices to“claim the money that is rightfully theirs”.

Whether that is making sure you’re being paid the correct hourly rate to claiming the savings in your Child Trust Fund, there are various ways to boost your bank balance.

An HMRC spokesperson said:“If you have started an apprenticeship, you are bringing home a wage, but are you getting paid correctly?

“Apprentices are the workers most likely to be underpaid, according to The Low Pay Commission.

“Most workers are legally entitled to the National Minimum Wage, but minimum rates of pay differ, depending on your age and what year of your apprenticeship you’re in.

“For 16- to18-year-olds and those in an apprenticeship it is £5.28 per hour and for people aged 19 and over, or first year apprentices, it is £5.28 per hour.

“If you are 19 or over and have completed your first year of apprenticeship you are entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National

Living Wage rate for your age.

“Rates change on 1 April each year; search‘national minimum wage rates’ on GOV.UK to find out more.”

The spokesperson added:“Common mistakes made by employers include not paying apprentices for the time they spend training, or for all the time worked, and not increasing the hourly rate after the annual increase, or when the apprentice has completed their first year.

“It is always worth checking your pay. If you think that you are not receiving the correct minimum wage speak with your employer or tutor if you are happy to do so.

“If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, you can always raise the issue with HMRC online at www.gov.uk/ minimum-wage-complaint. This can be done any time – day or night.

“You can also call Acas on 0300 123 1100 for confidential advice.”

Child Trust Funds (CTF) are tax-free savings accounts set up by the UK Government for children born between September 1, 2002, and January 2, 2011.

The government paid in at least £250, and families and friends were also able to contribute.

You can take control of your account from the age of 16 and withdraw any savings when you turn 18 by contacting your CTF provider.

If you don’t know who your CTF account is with, and your parents or guardians are none the wiser, you can ask HMRC.

You will need your National Insurance number to claim CTFs and can find out details on how to do so by heading to GOV.UK and searching‘find a child trust fund’.