Tender

Research relating to the Apprentice Rate of the minimum wage

LOW PAY COMMISSION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

19 Dec 2025 at 19:15

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

19 Dec 2025 at 17:21

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Low Pay Commission, a non-departmental public body located in London, UK, is inviting tenders for research focusing on the Apprentice Rate of the minimum wage as part of a government initiative. This procurement process is in the tender stage, with an open competition method and a maximum contract value of £40,000 excluding VAT (£48,000 including VAT). The research outcomes are expected by September 2026. Interested parties should submit their proposals by 2nd February 2026, with the enquiry period closing on 12th January 2026. The project falls under the services industry category, specifically research and development services and related consultancy services, and aims to enhance understanding of the minimum wage's impact on apprenticeships.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in research and development, particularly those experienced in economic and labour market analysis. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are deemed suitable bidders. By participating, businesses can not only secure financial gain but also add to their portfolio by contributing valuable insights into an impactful socio-economic issue. The tender requires a combination of commercial, quality, and price elements for evaluation, making it an excellent opportunity for entities that excel in delivering strategic research solutions with cost-effective methodologies.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Research relating to the Apprentice Rate of the minimum wage

Notice Description

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) invites tenders for research relating to the Apprentice Rate of the minimum wage. This call for research is for projects that would deliver their final results by September 2026 (with a final report after this). Researchers with projects that require a longer timeframe may wish to consider bidding on LPC 2026/07 The Low Pay Commission is a non-departmental public body that advises the Government about the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW) and the minimum wage rates for young workers and apprentices. You can view our most recent published remit for 2025 here. We are responsible for evaluating the effects of the NMW and NLW and making recommendations on future rates. To carry out these functions, our work involves: * carrying out extensive research and consultation with employers, workers and their representatives and taking written and oral evidence from a wide range of organisations; * analysing relevant data to understand the state of the economy and labour market and the impact of the minimum wage; * commissioning research projects into these questions. The current government has an ambition to move to a single adult minimum wage rate for all workers aged 18 and above. Our most recent remit asked the LPC to balance this ambition with the Government's concern about current levels of youth unemployment when making our recommendations on the 18-20 Year Old Rate. We have previously noted the importance of the interactions between the youth and apprentice rates of the minimum wage (see, for example, the LPC's Beyond 2024 Report) and are considering the full range of options for the future of the Apprentice Rate. We have also recommended considerable increases to the Apprentice Rate in recent years, but the data available to evaluate these increases are limited. This research will support our understanding of the impacts of the Apprentice Rate of the minimum wage on employer and/or worker decisions and outcomes. It will complement the LPC's own analysis of apprenticeship starts, vacancies and pay (including later salaries of those have completed apprenticeships). The estimated maximum value for the contract is PS40,000 (excluding VAT; PS48,000 including VAT). However we welcome proposals for smaller projects and anticipate bids in the range PS20,000 to PS40,000 exclusive of VAT. The project will deliver findings for September 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05faf2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085177-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£40,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£40,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
2 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Mar 2026 - 31 Dec 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LOW PAY COMMISSION
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
lpc@lowpay.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E14 4PU
Post Town
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Canary Wharf
Westminster Constituency
Poplar and Limehouse

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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