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The UK government announced plans Thursday to require employers to publish salary information in job adverts, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging businesses to start disclosing pay while ministers prepare legislation.
The November 5 government announcement said the proposed “say what you pay” requirement would help applicants compare jobs and address pay inequalities, particularly for young people seeking their first job and women returning to work.
Employers urged to act now
“Whether you’re a young person starting out or a parent trying to support your family, you should know what a job pays before spending your time and effort applying for it,” Burnham said.
The government said it would bring forward legislation “as soon as possible” and set out details on the information employers must provide, implementation and enforcement. In the meantime, Burnham called on employers to include pay details in their adverts voluntarily.
The announcement cited early analysis showing that 94% of respondents to the government’s consultation supported the requirement, including 93% of business respondents.
More information for jobseekers
The government cited the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s 2024 report, which found that 41% of employers always published salary ranges and 18% always published specific salaries.
Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson said mandatory pay information would help applicants judge whether a job could cover their bills and support efforts to close the gender pay gap.
The CIPD supported pay transparency in principle but raised concerns about regulating adverts. Its chief executive, Neil Carberry, said employers may set pay according to a candidate’s skills, experience and potential.
Work experience forms part of wider jobs push
The salary proposal forms part of the government’s effort to help more young people enter work or education. The same announcement said Siemens Mobility would provide 10,000 work experience opportunities in engineering and technology over three years, combining digital learning with hands-on experience.
Burnham called on more businesses to support the government’s target of 200,000 work experience opportunities. Further reforms are expected after the Milburn Review into youth inactivity reports in the coming weeks.
JBizNews Desk | London
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