New Law Requires UK Firms to Publish Salaries in Job Adverts to Tackle Pay Discrimination

The government has announced that all UK companies will be legally required to disclose salary ranges in job advertisements, a move aimed at boosting transparency and tackling pay discrimination. The new law, set to take effect later this year, will apply to employers of all sizes and across all sectors, from entry-level roles to executive positions. Ministers argue that upfront salary information will empower jobseekers to negotiate fairer pay and reduce the gender and ethnicity pay gaps that persist in the labour market. The policy has been welcomed by workers' unions and equal pay campaigners, who say it will end the frustrating practice of 'salary negotiable' or 'competitive' listings that often disadvantage women and minority candidates. However, some business groups have expressed concerns about the administrative burden, particularly for small firms, and warn that rigid pay bands could limit flexibility in rewarding exceptional talent. Despite the pushback, the government insists the benefits outweigh the costs, citing evidence from other countries where pay transparency laws have led to more equitable hiring practices. The new requirement will be enforced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, with penalties for non-compliance still under consultation. As the deadline approaches, HR departments are scrambling to update recruitment processes, and job boards are adapting their platforms to accommodate mandatory salary fields. For millions of workers, the change promises a fairer, more open job market.