Can I refuse to do an apprenticeship?

I am part of the Working Links program which I was sent on by the job centre. I'm 19 years old and I only started looking for jobs since I was 18 so I've been unemployed for a year. I currently sign on at the job centre.

I am having trouble getting a job and I think it's because of lack of experience and I don't have much confidence so when I get interviews I stutter and find it hard looking the interviewer in the eye.

A few months back I had a routine appointment with my adviser at Working Links and she asked me if I wanted to put my name down to do an apprenticeship. She didn't MAKE me put it down, she asked me yes or no. But being the moron that I am, I said yes and she put my name down.

I found out that with apprenticeships you have to work 40 hours a week, and you only earn roughly £2 per hour..

I live with my dad who's retired and we are VERY tight for money, and I have to pay him rent. I rely on public transport and if I did an apprenticeship it would cost me £35 a week to get there. The hours also don't suit me. I don't mind working for 36 hours or so a week with minimum wage, but 40 hours a week £2 an hour isn't good enough. Plus 40 hours seems like too much for somebody who's not used to working and find it hard socially. I've also got depression so it would put too much stress on me.

Can I tell my adviser that I don't want to do an apprenticeship without it affecting my job seeker's allowance?

Update:

@Graham: I wouldn't mind doing 40 hours for minimum wage (or hopefully more) but 40 hours at £2 per an hour. Surely that's wrong?

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