Vox Pop - Should there be a minimum wage for apprentices?

YES - Angela Deavall, director of policy, research and campaigns, YWCA

Apprenticeships offer young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, real opportunities to train and move up the career ladder.

However, research has shown that not getting enough money is a significant factor in young people dropping out.

Introduction of the minimum wage would make a huge difference to young women, who currently dominate the lowest paid apprenticeships such as hairdressing and early years care. At YWCA centres, young women have often told us that they simply could not manage on the low rates of pay they were receiving.

NO - Judy Brandon, national policy manager, Association of Learning Providers

Not if it means that fewer employers will train apprentices as a result, but it is a complex issue.

Traditionally 16- and 17-year-old apprentices have not been covered by the national minimum wage with one argument being that this represented a form of compensation to the employer for bearing some of the cost of the training, while the rewards for young people were potentially very good on completion of the programme.

The policy should be regularly reviewed but whether a recession is the right time to make a change is open to question.

YES - Tim Coates, vice-chair, British Youth Council

All young people, including apprentices must be entitled to a decent standard of living. This means all apprentices should be paid at least the national minimum wage.

It is important that apprenticeships are a sustainable training option; that young apprentices don't end up dropping out for jobs that pay at least the minimum wage because they are struggling financially.

The important contribution of apprentices to our economy and its future, particularly in these difficult economic times, must also be recognised. The British Youth Council believes that everyone aged over 16 should be paid an equal minimum wage.

NO - Richard Wainer, head of education and skills, CBI

We want more young people to be able to take up apprenticeships, and there's a danger the already high cost to employers of providing apprenticeships will become prohibitive for some companies.

But the government has decided that there should be a minimum wage, so they must now ensure employers are not put off from hiring apprentices and be careful not to price young people out of these valuable opportunities.

Many firms invest heavily in their apprentices, but as trainees just starting on the job their productivity is lower than other employees and this must be reflected in their wages.