Employers will be required to include clear salary information on job advertisements, according to Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson, in a move designed to help women secure fairer pay.
Writing exclusively for the Mirror, Phillipson said the change would give every applicant a clear starting point, whether they are a young person looking for their first job or a mother returning to work.
Ending 'salary blind' negotiations
Phillipson argued that women are much less likely to receive fair pay if they enter pay negotiations "salary blind," as evidence shows they are less likely than men to negotiate and more likely to face backlash when they do.
She said applicants are often expected to name their salary expectations first, creating an uneven playing field that women feel the brunt of. This can lead to lowball offers and lower starting pay that drags down earnings for the rest of their careers.
A practical step for equality
The minister described the move as a small step that could remove a barrier to work, adding that including salaries on job ads will not solve every barrier women face in the workplace but is a start.
Phillipson said the change is another practical step from a government determined to give everyone "that little bit more breathing space."
