Prime Minister urges firms to publish salaries ahead of new transparency laws

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called on businesses to start publishing salaries in job advertisements immediately, rather than waiting for a planned law that will make pay transparency compulsory. The government plans to introduce the legislation as soon as possible, citing overwhelming support from a recent consultation where 94% of respondents backed the move. Supporters argue the change will eliminate guesswork for jobseekers, help first-time applicants, and prevent pay discrimination. While proponents believe transparency will give workers more confidence to challenge discrimination and avoid pay disputes, industry representatives have expressed concerns. The CIPD, an HR industry body, noted that setting pay is often complex and depends on a candidate's specific skills and experience, arguing that regulating job adverts is less suitable than relying on good employer practices.