UK businesses will be forced to share salaries on job ads
The government will make it mandatory for job adverts to ‘say what you pay’ by making the publication of salaries a legal requirement.
In a statement on Friday (6 November), the government noted that many jobseekers are still expected to apply for roles without knowing what they pay.
It is estimated that less than half (41%) of employers always publish salary ranges and only 1 in 5 (18%) always publish specific salaries.
“Whether you’re a young person starting or a parent trying to support your family, you should know what a job pays before spending your time and effort applying for it. That’s why we will make it a legal requirement for all employers to say what you pay,” said Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
“But breaking down barriers is only one part of the job. We also need businesses to open more doors and give young people the experience and confidence to take that first step into the world of work.”
There is overwhelming public support for greater pay transparency, with early analysis showing 94% of respondents to the government consultation backing the requirement, including 93% of businesses.
Publishing salaries upfront can help expose unjustified differences in pay, give workers greater confidence to challenge discrimination and prevent disagreements over pay from escalating into disputes, the government said.
The government said it will bring forward legislation as soon as possible. In the meantime, Burnham said he is calling on all businesses to say what they pay on job ads now, rather than wait for the law to change.
Further reforms will follow the final report of the Milburn Review into youth inactivity, due in the coming weeks.
Jobs for teens
The government said it is also joining forces with a growing movement of businesses creating more work experience opportunities, helping to deliver its ambition of 200,000 additional placements for 14–16-year-olds.
Siemens Mobility is the latest employer to join the government initiative, with its new work experience programme creating more than 3,300 opportunities every year and reaching 10,000 young people over three years.
Combining digital learning with hands-on experience, the programme will allow young people to meet engineers, tackle real-world challenges and see how advanced manufacturing, AI and digital technology are transforming Britain’s railways.
To mark the launch, the Prime Minister will join children for a national science lesson with thousands more taking part online. Through practical challenges and demonstrations, pupils will meet Siemens Mobility apprentices and engineers and discover where studying science and technical subjects could take them.
“Britain’s railways are changing fast. From AI and digital technology to advanced manufacturing, we need a new generation of engineers and innovators to shape their future,” said Rob Morris (Managing Director, Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland)
“Our £360 million investment in Britain is about more than building world-class rail facilities. It’s about creating skilled jobs, developing talent and strengthening the industrial capabilities Britain needs for the future.”
