The UK government plans to introduce a new law that will require employers to clearly state salaries in job advertisements. The move is designed to make recruitment more transparent and help jobseekers make informed decisions before applying.
Currently, many candidates apply for jobs without knowing how much they will earn. Government estimates show that only 41 per cent of employers consistently publish salary ranges, while just 18 per cent regularly disclose exact pay details.
The proposed legislation, backed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, will make salary disclosure a legal requirement rather than a voluntary practice. The government believes this will particularly benefit young people entering the workforce for the first time, as well as individuals returning to employment after a break.
The policy is also expected to support efforts to reduce gender pay disparities. By making salary information available upfront, candidates will be able to compare opportunities more easily and avoid entering pay negotiations without sufficient information.
The proposal has received strong backing, with 94 per cent of respondents to a government consultation supporting salary transparency, including 93 per cent of participating businesses.
Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities, said the change would help people assess whether jobs match their financial needs and qualifications before applying. Women’s rights organisation Fawcett Society, led by Penny East, welcomed the move, saying greater transparency could help tackle unfair pay practices and narrow the gender pay gap.
The initiative is part of a broader government strategy to improve youth employment and skills development. Additional reforms are expected after the publication of the upcoming Milburn Review into youth inactivity.
Alongside the pay transparency drive, Siemens Mobility has committed to creating more than 10,000 work-experience opportunities over three years, supporting the government’s goal of expanding career pathways for young people through engineering, technology and vocational education.