UK to Force Employers to Publish Salaries on Job Adverts

On 6 November 2026, Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed the government will introduce a legal requirement for UK employers to publish salaries on job adverts. The move—part of a series of 'small fixes'—aims to stop applicants applying blind and tackle pay discrimination, particularly affecting young people and women. Announced alongside a commitment from Siemens Mobility to create 10,000 work experience places, the proposal follows a July consultation on equal pay.

What is the 'say what you pay' law?

The proposed law will compel employers to state pay when advertising roles, ending vague terms such as 'competitive salary.' According to official government data, only 41% of employers always publish salary ranges and just 18% always publish specific salaries. Legislation will be brought forward 'as soon as possible,' with ministers urging businesses to act now. The change is linked to the government's wider Employment Rights Act agenda, described as the biggest overhaul of employment law in a generation.

Why is the UK government acting now?

Ministers argue that pay should not be a 'guessing game.' A public consultation found 94% support for greater transparency, including 93% of businesses that responded. Burnham said the current system is 'weighted against the applicant' and that the rules would also apply to MPs advertising staff roles. BBC analysis notes that Adzuna data shows only 51% of September job adverts listed pay, a falling share.

The numbers behind pay secrecy

• 41% of employers always publish salary ranges
• 18% always publish specific salaries
• 94% of consultation respondents support mandatory transparency
• 51% of September 2026 job adverts listed any pay information

How will mandatory pay transparency affect jobseekers and employers?

Supporters say the change will particularly help young people applying for first jobs and women seeking to close the gender pay gap. Knowing a role's salary before applying allows jobseekers to judge whether pay is fair and to negotiate from a stronger position. For employers, the government argues transparency can widen applicant pools and improve trust, though the UK job market may see short-term adjustment as firms review pay structures.

What are employers and campaigners saying?

The Trades Union Congress welcomed the move. General secretary Paul Nowak said vague listings are frustrating and unfair, while the CIPD's Neil Carberry called transparency 'a good thing' but warned that pay-setting is complex and best left to employer practice, not regulation. The Conservatives oppose the change, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission backs salary disclosure. The government has not yet decided what pay information will be required, which company sizes must comply, or how the rule will be enforced. Reporting by The Guardian highlights the unresolved enforcement questions. This proposal is part of Burnham's wider pay transparency laws push.

Frequently asked questions

When will employers have to publish salaries on job adverts?

The government says legislation will be brought forward 'as soon as possible,' but no date has been set. Employers are urged to act voluntarily now.

Does the new rule apply to all UK employers?

Not yet. Ministers have not confirmed which company sizes must comply or what pay information must be published.

How will the law help close the gender pay gap?

Pay transparency lets women and young people see whether advertised pay is fair before applying, reducing the information asymmetry that can fuel pay discrimination.

What did the consultation find?

94% of respondents supported mandatory pay transparency, including 93% of businesses that took part.

What happens next?

Officials will draft the legislation, and further reforms are expected following the Milburn Review into youth inactivity. The government is also expanding work experience through a new Siemens Mobility programme offering 10,000 placements over three years, supporting a target of 200,000 placements for 14–16-year-olds. As the youth employment programmes roll out, mandatory pay transparency could become one of the most visible changes to the UK's labour market in 2027.