The sandwich chain Subway have been caught out looking for staff at just £2.60 per hour. This would be legal for an apprenticeship — but the role in the West Midlands advertised as being “permanent”.

The position, advertised by Job Centre Plus as an, errrm, “sandwich artist” is set out as a level two apprenticeship, meaning a lower minimum wage applies. Under the law, a level two apprentice must spend at least 30% of their time training — but no training details are specified in the advertisement.

Dudley MP Ian Austin has asked DWP boss Iain Duncan Smith to investigate:

“I’ve asked the National Apprenticeship Service to look into the apprenticeships … to see if they are genuine apprenticeships or simply a means to pay young staff below the minimum wage.”

Perhaps the apprenticeship is intended to be part of a sandwich course.