WAGE levels for apprentices should be simplified, the Government has said.

Apprentice rates depend on age and how long someone has been on an apprenticeship, which can be difficult for employers to understand, leading to poor compliance, said ministers.

The Low Pay Commission will look at streamlining the apprenticeships rate, so apprentices get the minimum wage they are entitled to.

The Government has also asked the commission to assess whether above-inflation increases in minimum wage rates can be made without harming employment, when it makes its recommendations for next year’s rates. Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The national minimum wage provides vital protection for low-paid workers and a real incentive to work. From this October, low-paid workers will enjoy the biggest cash increase in their take-home pay since 2008.

“As the economy continues to strengthen, I want more workers to share the benefits of the recovery. This is why I am asking the LPC to once again look at whether the economy is strong enough to support above-inflation rises, helping those on low pay get a fairer deal.

“I want to see apprentices paid the right wage, so I am asking the LPC to simplify the system to make it easier for employers to know exactly what wage they must pay.”

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: “With figures suggesting nearly a quarter of apprentices get paid less than the law says they should, we welcome moves to simplify the system.

“This would prevent employers who cheat their apprentices out of the minimum wage from using the excuse they didn’t understand they had to pay it.

He added that with the economy now growing “we can well afford to see a substantial increase in the minimum wage next year.”

Pay rates

When the minimum wage was launched in 1999, the main rate was £3.60. It is now £6.31 an hour for adults and will rise to £6.50 in October; by 10p an hour to £5.13 for 18 to 20-year-olds; by 7p to £3.79 for 16 and 17-year-olds; and by 5p to £2.73 for apprentices.