Apprentices receive biggest boost to pay in upcoming budget
The Chancellor has announced ahead of today’s Budget that the minimum wage will increase in April, with the Minimum wage for apprenticeships rising to £7.55 an hour. This represents a 17.9% boost from the current £6.40, and is set to take effect in April 2025.
The rise is part of the government’s efforts to meet Labour’s commitment to providing a “genuine living wage” for workers across the UK.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves celebrated the increase as a “significant step” in lifting wages to meet the cost of living. “This boost will help people keep up with rising living costs and ensure work truly pays,” she said.
Details of the Wage Increases
The new wage policy impacts multiple age brackets:
- For over-21s (the National Living Wage), wages will rise from £11.44 to £12.21 an hour starting in April 2025. This year saw an increase from £10.42 to £11.44.
- For 18 to 20-year-olds, the rate will jump from £8.60 to £10 an hour. Earlier this year, the minimum wage for this group rose from £7.49 to £8.60.
- Apprentices will benefit from the largest percentage increase, with hourly rates going up from £6.40 to £7.55, after having increased from £5.28 this year.
The Treasury has highlighted the changes as a “historic step” toward creating a unified wage structure for adults, bridging the gaps across different age groups.
Industry Perspective
This significant increase in apprentice wages is being met with enthusiasm from leading voices in the apprenticeship sector. A spokesperson from Best Apprenticeships remarked:
“Raising the apprentice wage to £7.55 is a milestone that recognises the hard work and contribution apprentices make to the economy. It not only makes apprenticeships a more financially viable option for young people, but will hopefully attract a greater number of individuals to consider these exciting pathways.”
This welcome increase to the apprentice minimum wage follows a similar boost in the previous budget.
