Unison called for increased wage rates for apprentices, as well as tighter controls over their training.

General secretary Dave Prentis said: "Our evidence shows that many apprentices do a full-time job, carrying out the same tasks as their colleagues, but get paid significantly less money for the work they do. Many of our young members working as apprentices tell us they receive as little as £80 per week.

"If the Government wants to encourage more young people on to apprenticeship schemes, it will have to stop treating them like second-class citizens and give them a fair rate for the job."

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