The national minimum wage for apprentices will increase next April from £4.30 to £4.81 per hour, the Treasury has confirmed today.
The 51p increase equates to an 11.9 per cent rise and is in line with a recommendation from the Low Pay Commission.
It will take effect from April 1, 2022.
Meanwhile, the National Living Wage for those aged 23 and older will increase from £8.91 to £9.50 an hour.
The the rate for 16 to 17-year-olds will rise from £4.62 to £4.81. For 18 to 20 year olds, the rate will shoot up from £6.56 to £6.83 per hour. And for 21 to 22 year olds, minimum salaries will increase from £8.36 to £9.18 per hour.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to confirm the wage rises during Wednesday’s spending review and budget.
He said today: “This is a government that is on the side of working people. This wage boost ensures we’re making work pay and keeps us on track to meet our target to end low pay by the end of this parliament.”
The Treasury trailed a £3 billion skills funding announcement over the weekend. Details of how much of this is new money are expected to be revealed on Wednesday.
Minimum wage increases:
| Group | Current rate (£/hr) | 2022 rate (£/hour) | Cash increase | % cash increase |
| NLW (23+) | £8.91 | £9.50 | 59p | 6.6% |
| 21-22 year olds | £8.36 | £9.18 | 82p | 9.8% |
| 18-20 year olds | £6.56 | £6.83 | 27p | 4.1% |
| 16-17 year olds | £4.62 | £4.81 | 19p | 4.1% |
| Apprentices | £4.30 | £4.81 | 51p | 11.9% |
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