The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board has introduced an increase to the minimum hourly rate of pay for agricultural apprentices.

Agricultural workers will also receive an increased hourly rate from 1 October this year.

Workers in the first 26 weeks of employment will receive a  minimum rate of £5.96 per hour, those with more than 26 weeks experience will have at least £6.512 per hour

An hourly rate of not less than £3.61 per hour for workers during the first 12 months of employment who undertake a Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship in Agriculture will also be imposed and the additional sum payable to workers who have appropriate qualifications will be £0.99 per hour

The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board met on August 18 to consider six written representations received against its initial proposals for change. After consideration of each representation it agreed to confirm its proposals published in May.