Job ads must list pay under new law, Burnham says

Jobseekers in the United Kingdom will soon see specific wage figures on employment listings, ending the era of vague salary descriptions. Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that a new legal requirement will compel employers to disclose pay details when advertising open positions. The measure aims to give candidates clear financial information before they invest time in the application process. It also allows current workers to gauge whether their compensation aligns with market rates.

The government began this regulatory process with a consultation in July focused on improving equal pay laws. That initial review also proposed stronger protections for disabled individuals and ethnic minorities, but final decisions on those specific areas are not yet public. Officials indicated that 93% of businesses responded positively to the earlier consultation. The new mandate builds on that feedback, though ministers have not yet defined the precise data points required or the company size thresholds for compliance.

Burnham framed the change as part of a series of immediate adjustments to daily life. Since taking office, his administration has removed value added tax from electricity bills, lowered bus fares, and issued a 100-pound council tax rebate. He described these actions as preliminary steps before a larger 10-year strategy to restructure the economy. That broader plan, which may include public control of utilities, was originally scheduled for release next month but could now be delayed until next year.

The prime minister emphasized the practical benefit for applicants. "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. He added that removing barriers is only one component of the effort, noting that businesses must also create more entry-level opportunities to build confidence in new workers.

Labor leaders supported the announcement. Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, noted that the previous practice of listing a "competitive salary" was a common source of frustration for those searching for work. Research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that fewer than half of employers always published salary ranges, while fewer than one in five always listed specific figures. Experts argue that hiding pay data makes it difficult for young people to target suitable roles and allows employers to offer lower wages to certain groups, including women.

Ministers have promised additional policy changes to assist young entrants to the workforce. These updates will follow a review led by former minister Alan Milburn, which is set for publication in the coming weeks. The government has not yet decided how the new salary disclosure rule will be enforced or exactly what information must appear in every advertisement.