Nursery World - New research finds childcare has poor record on minimum wage

Childcare bosses are among the most likely not to pay the minimum wage, two recent reports have found.

A survey into apprentices specifically found that 'children’s care' apprentices were the second most likely group to be paid below the minimum wage.

Over one in 4, or 27 per cent, were paid less than the legal apprenticeship rate.

The research, from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy last month, found that only hairdressers fared worse. The report also flagged a link between non-awareness of the national minimum wage and non-compliance with it.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Labour Market Enforcement Strategy report, also out last month, echoed the findings. Childcare employees have the second highest rate of underpayment of the national minimum wage of all the low-pay sectors, again behind hairdressing and beauty. It also found that small businesses were the worst offenders.

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