Recently, it has come to the attention of HMRC that over 491 employers are not paying their staff correctly, and shockingly, 190 of these cases involved apprentices.
So, what should you be paying your apprentices? Regardless of their age, during the first year of their apprenticeship, they should be paid a minimum of £7.55 an hour. BUT, it is not compulsory to pay this rate as you can pay higher than this.
For apprentices in their second year, or those who are 19 years old or older, you MUST pay them at least the minimum wage applicable to their age. But again, this is the minimum requirement, not the maximum.
Check the HMRC website to read about minimum wage and apprenticeship rates.
https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates