AN INCREASE to the minimum hourly rate of pay for agricultural apprentices has been introduced by the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board, alongside other increases for farm sector workers.

Reacting to the announcement, the National Farmers Union Scotland has pointed out that the minimum wage for agricultural workers has again been set higher than the national minimum wage that applies to other industries, and asked that the government act to correct this “anomaly”.

Details of the pay award announced by the SAWB are as follows:

- A minimum rate of £5.96 per hour for workers in the first 26 weeks of employment;

- At least £6.51 per hour for workers employed for more than 26 weeks;

- 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;

- The additional sum payable to workers who have appropriate qualifications will be £0.99 per hour;

- The dog allowance will also increase to £4.94 per week for each dog up to a maximum of four.

All these changes will be effective from 1 October 2010.

Commenting, NFUS policy director Scott Walker said: “This is formal confirmation of the wage increase that the industry knew would take effect from 1 October 2010.

“This will again mean that the minimum agricultural wage rate will be above the minimum wage rate that applies in any other sector of the economy.

“The UK coalition government have announced their intention to scrap the wages board for England and Wales, and we are pleased that they realise that with a national minimum wage and varied employment legislation, a specific wages board for agriculture makes no sense at all,” added Mr Walker.

“We hope that the Scottish Government will follow their lead when the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board is next reviewed in late 2011.”