Mail Online

Apprentice £150k out of pocket

CONTESTANTS on hit TV show The Apprentice are billed as Britain’s brightest business minds, but they appear to be lacking one key skill – a sound grasp of economics.

The £250,000 prize for the winner was set 12 years ago. But because of rampant inflation, the value of the pot has plummeted in real terms.

Inflation is now at more than 10 per cent, and if Lord Sugar had increased the prize in line with this rate, this year’s winner would receive just over £395,000 – almost £150,000 more than the prize.

Mark Dixon, founder of the Fair Market Economy think-tank, said: ‘If I were on The Apprentice, I would tell Lord Sugar, “You’re fired!” A prize that isn’t index-linked to inflation becomes smaller every year.’

Amy Anzel, who was on last year’s series, said: ‘The prize should be much more. If you are starting a business, £250,000 is nice. But how far will it really take you these days?’

Kathryn Burn, runner-up to Harpreet Kaur last year, said: ‘It is about time they bumped it up to about £500,000.’

Lord Sugar last increased the prize – which is an investment in the winner’s business – in 2011. Before that, the winner got a £100,000-a-year job.

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