Apprentices

Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either:

• aged under 19
• aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship

Example

An apprentice aged 21 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £5.28.

Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they both:

• are aged 19 or over
• have completed the first year of their apprenticeship

Example

An apprentice aged 21 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £10.18.

Reference: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Flexible Working

From 6 April 2024, employees will be able to request flexible working from the first day of a job.

Prepare for the law changes

Employers, employees and representatives can get help from Acas to prepare for the changes in April:

• preview the new Acas Code of Practice on requests for flexible working
• book training on the new law and Acas Code
• sign up for emails to keep up-to-date with the changes

Further information including forms to request flexible working can be found on the ACAS website here:

Flexible working | Acas

Increase to statutory leave payments

The government has published draft regulations setting out the proposed annual increases in statutory leave pay such as statutory maternity and other family leave pay rates, and statutory sick pay that will come into force in April 2024.

From 7 April 2024, statutory maternity pay, paternity pay, adoption pay, shared parental pay, and parental bereavement pay will rise from GBP 172.48 to GBP 184.03 per week.