The UK Treasury has revealed an 18% increase in the minimum hourly wage for apprentices, raising it from £6.40 to £7.55, effective from April 2025. This is part of a broader set of wage increases, which also include hikes in the national living wage and national minimum wage for various age groups.
The new minimum wage will apply to apprentices aged 16-18, as well as those over 19 in their first year of apprenticeship. After completing their first year, apprentices aged 19 and older will be entitled to at least the national minimum wage or national living wage, depending on their age. The national living wage will also rise by 6.7%, from £11.44 to £12.21 per hour, for workers aged 21 and above. This change follows the lowering of the age threshold for the national living wage from 23 to 21 last year.
A government spokesperson highlighted that the Department for Business and Trade expects more than 3 million workers to benefit directly from the 2025 increase in the national living wage. Additionally, nearly 200,000 workers aged 18 to 20 will see a boost from the national minimum wage increase, while over 130,000 apprentices and workers under 18 will benefit from the wage uplift.
Wage rates from April 1st, 2025
| Per hour rate | Annual increase | Percentage increase | |
| National Living Wage (21 and over) | £12.21 | £0.77 | 6.7% |
| 18-20-year-old national minimum wage | £10.00 | £1.40 | 16% |
| 16-17-year-old national minimum wage | £7.55 | £1.15 | 18% |
| Apprentice rate | £7.55 | £1.15 | 18% |
These changes stem from recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission (LPC), following concerns raised last year that the low apprentice wage was discouraging individuals from pursuing apprenticeships. In response, the LPC decided to retain the apprentice rate while implementing these adjustments to ensure more equitable pay for apprentices and workers across different age groups.