Pay Transparency: UK Mandates Salary Ranges in Job Listings

London, November 5, 2026. Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that UK employers will soon be legally required to include salary information in their job advertisements.

The measure, dubbed the 'say what you pay' law, targets a widespread practice where candidates apply for roles without knowing the compensation. According to estimates from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, only 41% of employers consistently publish salary ranges. Fewer than one in five companies always list specific salary figures.

Burnham stated that the change ensures that whether a candidate is a young person starting their career or a parent supporting a family, they know the pay before investing time in the application process. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Metro that removing simple barriers, such as vague pay descriptions, gives everyone a fairer chance. Reynolds added that the law will help more people get a foot in the door by providing clear earnings data upfront.

The Trades Union Congress welcomed the move. General Secretary Paul Nowak noted that salary secrecy often results in lower offers for women, minority ethnic, and disabled workers. Nowak described the common phrase 'competitive salary' as frustrating and disrespectful, arguing that candidates should not have to endure lengthy interview processes without knowing if the pay is sufficient to get by.

The government has not set a specific date for the new rules to take effect. Officials stated that legislation would be brought forward as soon as possible. In the interim, Burnham urged businesses to voluntarily include salaries in their adverts immediately.

Alongside the pay transparency mandate, the government announced a new work experience program from tech company Siemens Mobility. The initiative aims to reach 10,000 young people over the next three years. Reynolds said the program will provide experience and confidence to help participants land good jobs.

Further measures to address youth unemployment are expected in the Milburn Review, which is due in the coming weeks. Former health secretary Alan Milburn has been tasked with examining solutions for the crisis of young people not in employment, education, or training. Burnham has called this situation an economic catastrophe and moral failure.