Job Adverts to Show Pay Under New Government Transparency Plans

Employers across the UK will be required to include salary information in job adverts under plans announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

The proposed legislation is intended to stop organisations advertising positions with vague descriptions such as “competitive salary”. The government said applicants should know what a role pays before investing time in completing an application or attending interviews.

The change could be particularly significant for care and healthcare recruitment, where salaries can vary considerably between employers and locations. Greater transparency may help workers compare opportunities more easily, while requiring providers to consider whether their pay remains competitive before advertising vacancies.

Research cited alongside the announcement suggests fewer than one in five employers currently publish a specific salary, while almost 60% do not include even a salary range. The proposal received strong support during a government consultation, including backing from most businesses that responded.

Ministers have not yet confirmed when the requirement will take effect, which employers will be covered or how breaches will be enforced. Businesses are nevertheless being encouraged to begin publishing pay information voluntarily rather than waiting for the legislation to pass through Parliament.

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