Tony Lloyd welcomes ‘new deal for apprentices’

Tony Lloyd

Tony Lloyd, Labour candidate for Rochdale in the forthcoming general election, has welcomed a ‘new deal for apprentices’, announced by Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham at the Greater Manchester Apprenticeship Company’s (GMAC) inaugural staff conference.

Mr Lloyd agrees with his Labour colleague Mr Burnham that “no young apprentice in Greater Manchester should be paid less than the national minimum wage for other young people in work".

Mr Burnham said: "£3.50 an hour is simply not enough. Public sector bodies in Greater Manchester are already leading by example and working towards paying young apprentices the proper national minimum wage. It’s time for every employer in Greater Manchester to follow suit."

Rochdale has led the way on apprenticeships.

Mr Lloyd explained: "Rochdale Borough Council has given an additional £1,000 grant to employers if they take on a high level apprentice, providing they live in Rochdale. The apprentices also get £1,000 on completion of the apprenticeship. As a result, Rochdale has had the highest take up in Greater Manchester."