Employers in Great Britain will soon be required to publish salary information in job advertisements under government plans to rewrite anti-discrimination laws, according to the BBC. The draft proposals, outlined by the Cabinet Office, also suggest that details of other job conditions may need to be disclosed to candidates.
The policy is designed to help jobseekers make informed decisions and could prevent future pay discrimination claims. The Cabinet Office stated that salary transparency would also improve the hiring process by filtering out candidates with misaligned pay expectations. Citing various academic studies, the government argued that opaque pay decisions can be influenced by stereotypes based on gender, ethnicity, or disability, leading to unequal outcomes.
Proposal Details
The Cabinet Office plans to consult on the exact format of salary disclosure. Options include displaying the exact salary, a pay range, or a "benchmark rate" for the role. Additionally, industry groups will be asked whether information beyond base salary—such as bonuses—should be included. For roles that do not have a published job advert, employers must provide salary information in writing before a job interview.
Currently, pay transparency is voluntary in the UK. Previous research by the CIPD, an industry body for HR managers, found that the practice is more common in public bodies and charities than in the private sector, and that pay ranges are more frequent than specific salaries. However, the CIPD cautioned that some employers are not "fully transparent," with ranges sometimes exceeding £10,000.
Scope and Timeline
The government intends for the proposals to apply in England, Wales, and Scotland. The exact terms will be set out in legislation following a consultation with industry that ends in October 2026. The Northern Ireland rights watchdog has previously argued that the new EU pay transparency rules should apply in the province under the Windsor Framework deal signed by former prime minister Rishi Sunak. The Northern Ireland Executive has not yet stated whether it will follow the EU rules or the UK proposals. The BBC has asked for clarification.
Comparison with EU Rules
The UK proposals echo pay transparency requirements being rolled out across the European Union. Under EU rules, large employers with more than 100 workers must disclose the initial pay or range for new roles, either in a published job advert or before an interview. Additionally, the EU bans employers from asking candidates about their salary history—a provision not included in the UK Cabinet Office consultation.
| Aspect | UK Proposal | EU Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Salary information | Exact pay, range, or benchmark rate (to be decided) | Initial pay or range for new roles |
| Disclosure timing | In job advert or in writing before interview | In published advert or before interview |
| Salary history ban | Not included | Yes, prohibited |
| Applicability | England, Wales, Scotland (Northern Ireland TBD) | All EU member states |
| Effective date | After consultation ending October 2026 | Already being implemented |
Implications for Employers
For companies operating in the UK, the mandatory disclosure of salary information will require adjustments to recruitment processes. The government’s rationale—that transparency reduces discrimination and improves efficiency—carries legal and reputational weight. Employers that currently disclose wide pay ranges may need to narrow them to avoid appearing opaque. The consultation process invites input from industry groups, giving businesses an opportunity to shape the final rules.
The absence of a salary history ban in the UK proposals contrasts with the EU, which could create discrepancies for multinational firms. While the consultation covers base salary and potentially bonuses, the final scope remains uncertain. Companies should prepare for greater scrutiny of their pay structures and ensure internal equity to mitigate discrimination claims.
The next milestone is the closing of the consultation in October 2026, after which legislation will be introduced.
