As an apprentice, you are entitled to be paid at least the National Minimum Wage. Make sure you know how much you should be paid and what you can do if you think you’re underpaid.

Watch out for the following common mistakes which can lead to minimum wage underpayment:

• If you’re aged 19 and over and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship you are entitled to the higher minimum wage rate for your age group, not just the £4.30 apprentice rate
• You should only be paid the apprentice rate of £4.30 once you have officially started your apprenticeship and not after it ends
• You must be paid for all training time no matter whether this training takes place at work, college or elsewhere

If you think you haven’t been paid correctly, you can report this to HMRC. Reporting is simple, can be made anonymously or even on behalf of someone else: www.gov.uk/minimum-wage-complaint

If you would prefer to talk your situation through with someone on the phone first, you can call the Acas Helpline on 0300 123 1100.  You do not have to give your name if you don’t want to.

Make sure you get the money you’re owed. Find out more, including the higher minimum wage rates for the different age groups, on the Check your pay website.