Ananova:

People who want apprenticeships have a better chance of getting one if they live in the north than in the south, according to new research.

Some areas of the UK have nearly four times as many new apprenticeships per worker as other areas, the TUC claims.

It wants more action to bridge the gap after finding the 9,000 new apprenticeships in Greater London in 2006/07 represented just 0.25% of employment in the region.

This compared with 0.91% in the North West and 0.86% in the North East, meaning that those areas had almost four times as many new apprenticeships per employee than London.

Research for the TUC showed the number of apprenticeships in the UK increased by 4.4% in 2007 to 184,000 but growth varied greatly across regions.

Apprenticeships in the North West increased by 12% and by 11% in the South East, but the number fell by 9% in the North East and 2% in the West Midlands.

The TUC called for action to reach the Government's target of 400,000 new apprenticeships by 2020.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "After decades of decline, apprenticeships are enjoying a welcome comeback but this growth is patchy and some regions are still lagging behind.

"It is time for employers to take up the challenge and offer more places, right across the country."

The Government said its investment in apprenticeships would be more than £1bn by the year 2010/11.

The TUC also stepped up its campaign for apprentices to be paid more after hearing of reports of wages a low as £1.54 an hour.

It is pressing for apprentices to earn a minimum of £110 - £30 more than at present.