Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

DURING National Apprenticeship Week HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging apprentices to claim the money that is rightfully theirs. Whether that's making sure you're being paid the correct hourly rate to claiming the savings in your Child Trust Fund, this is how to do it.

You've started an apprenticeship, you're bringing home a wage, but are you getting paid correctly? Apprentices are the workers most likely to be underpaid according to The Low Pay Commission.

Most workers are legally entitled to the National Minimum Wage, but minimum rates of pay differ, depending on your age and what year of your apprenticeship you're in.

16 to 18 years old and in an apprenticeship is:- £5.28 per hour.
19 and over, 1st year apprentice is:- £5.28 per hour.
19 or over and have completed your 1st year of
apprenticeship? You are entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for your age.
Rates change on:- 1 April each year. Search:- 'national minimum wage rates' on:- Gov.UK.

Common mistakes made by employers include not paying apprentices for the time they spend training, or for all the time worked, and not increasing the hourly rate after the annual increase, or when the apprentice has completed their 1st year.

It is always worth checking your pay. If you think that you are not receiving the correct minimum wage:-

Speak with your employer or tutor if you are happy to do so.
If you don't feel comfortable doing that, you can always raise the issue with HMRC online at:- https://www.Gov.UK/Minimum-Wage-Complaint. This can be done any time; day or night. Watch this video to find out more.
You can also call Acas on:- 03001231100, for confidential advice or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland on:- 03300555300. Translation services are available.

Do not forget to claim what's yours... Yes, Child Trust Funds (CTF) are tax free savings accounts set up by the Government for children born between:- 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011.

The Government paid in at least £250, and families and friends were also able to contribute.

You can take control of your account from 16 years old and withdraw any savings when you turn 18 by contacting your CTF provider. If you don't know who your CTF account is with, and your parents / guardian are none the wiser, you can ask HMRC.

You will need your National Insurance number to claim.
Find out how to claim on:- Gov.UK by searching:- 'find a child trust fund.'

Did you know that your National Insurance (NI) number ensures your NI contributions and tax are recorded against your name and unlocks access to a pension and benefits should you need them?

HMRC should send you your NI number a few months before you turn 16. If you don't have it, search:- 'apply for a National Insurance number' online at:- Gov.UK.

It is worth noting that HMRC has a highly rated app is a useful tool. To use it, download the app from the App Store or Google Play and create a:- 'Government Gateway' account. You can access these useful features:-

View your NI number and save it to your mobile phone wallet
The tax calculator gives an annual, monthly, and weekly estimate of your take home pay.
View your take home pay a few days before pay day.
Get a full summary of your:- employments, income, tax codes, income tax and NI paid for the past 5 years.
View your State Pension and NI contributions.
Find out how the Government spends your taxes.

You should always be on the lookout for scams, to protect yourself from the fraudsters who want to swindle you out of your hard earned money. HMRC said they are aware of over 6,500 people, aged between:- 18 to 24, who had reported tax related phone scams in 2023. Common scams include:- offers of a tax rebate, warnings that your tax details are out of date, or threats of immediate arrest for tax evasion. If a phone call, text, or email is suspicious or unexpected, don't give out private information or reply, and don't download attachments or click on links. If you're unsure about a text claiming to be from HMRC forward it to:- 60599, or an email to:- Phishing@HMRC.Gov.UK. Report a tax scam phone call on:- Gov.UK.