Employers to be required to publish pay on job adverts, Andy Burnham says

Andy Burnham announced a plan to make employers list salaries in job postings, saying the change is intended to give jobseekers more power. Workers’ rights groups say the measure could particularly benefit young people and women in narrowing pay gaps.

Andy Burnham has announced plans to require employers to publish salary information on job advertisements, saying the move is intended to strengthen the position of employees and people looking for work.

Mr Burnham said he would introduce a legal requirement for companies to state what they pay when advertising new vacancies. The announcement framed the measure as a way to increase transparency in the labour market.

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Workers’ rights campaigners welcomed the proposal, arguing that clear pay information on adverts would help reduce information asymmetries that disadvantage some groups. Campaigners told reporters the change could be particularly beneficial to young people and women, who research and bargaining leverage suggests can be more vulnerable to lower initial offers.

Mr Burnham did not set out detailed timing or enforcement mechanisms for the policy in his announcement. Supporters say pay transparency is a straightforward tool to promote fairer outcomes in hiring, while businesses and other stakeholders will be watching for the specifics of any legal requirement.