The UK Government has launched a consultation that could significantly change how employers advertise salaries during recruitment. The proposals aim to improve pay transparency, reduce pay discrimination, and strengthen equal pay protections across the workplace.
While no new legal requirements have been introduced yet, employers should be aware of what is being proposed and consider whether now is the right time to review their recruitment practices.
What Is Pay Transparency?
Pay transparency is the practice of being open about salary and pay-related information during the recruitment process. Rather than asking candidates about their salary expectations or previous earnings without providing any context, employers would be expected to clearly communicate what a role pays.
The aim is to create fairer recruitment practices, reduce pay inequalities, and help candidates make informed decisions about applying for roles.
What Is Being Proposed?
As part of its Equal Pay Consultation, the Government is seeking views on introducing a legal requirement for employers to disclose pay information when advertising vacancies.
The consultation is considering whether employers should be required to publish:
- An exact salary
- A salary range
- A benchmark or indicative rate of pay
Ministers are also consulting on whether employers should disclose additional information such as:
- Bonus arrangements
- Other contractual pay-related benefits or conditions
Alongside these proposals, the Government is considering stronger enforcement measures for employers that are found to have engaged in unlawful pay discrimination.
The consultation closes on 27 October 2026. Once it has reviewed the responses, the Government will decide whether to introduce legislation.
Why Pay Transparency Matters
Even before any legal changes, there are several benefits to adopting pay transparency.
Attract Better Candidates
Many job seekers now expect to see salary information before applying for a role. Job adverts without any indication of pay are often overlooked, particularly in competitive sectors where candidates have plenty of choice.
Being transparent about salary helps attract applicants who are comfortable with the level of pay being offered, saving time for both employers and candidates.
Improve Candidate Experience
Providing salary information from the outset helps build trust. Candidates are less likely to feel they have invested time in a recruitment process only to discover the salary does not meet their expectations.
A positive recruitment experience can also strengthen your employer brand, even among unsuccessful candidates.
Support Fair and Consistent Recruitment
Clear salary information encourages more consistent pay decisions and reduces the risk of unconscious bias influencing negotiations. It also helps demonstrate that your organisation is committed to fair and equitable recruitment practices.
Strengthen Your Employer Brand
Transparency sends a positive message about your organisation. Employers who openly communicate pay are often viewed as more trustworthy, fair, and people-focused.
By contrast, withholding salary information can make a business appear secretive or discourage candidates from applying.
How to Prepare Now
Although these proposals are still under consultation, now is a good opportunity to review your recruitment processes.
You may wish to:
- Review your current job advert templates.
- Consider publishing salary ranges for all vacancies.
- Ensure pay decisions are consistent across similar roles.
- Review your approach to equal pay and pay progression.
- Train recruiting managers on fair recruitment practices.
Making these changes now could put your business in a stronger position should legislation be introduced, while also improving your ability to attract and retain talented employees.
Recruitment Support That Helps You Attract the Right People
Being transparent about pay is only one part of attracting the right candidates. A successful recruitment process also relies on writing engaging job adverts, reaching the right audience, and providing a positive candidate experience from application through to offer.
Our recruitment team can support you with every stage of the hiring process, including:
- Writing attractive, compliant job adverts that clearly communicate salary and benefits.
- Advertising your vacancies across multiple job boards and recruitment platforms.
- Screening applications and identifying the strongest candidates.
- Managing interviews and candidate communications.
- Supporting with job offers, contracts of employment and onboarding.
Whether you’re recruiting for a single position or multiple roles, we’ll work as an extension of your business to help you attract high-quality candidates while ensuring your recruitment process reflects your employer brand.
If you’re reviewing your recruitment practices in light of the Government’s proposed pay transparency requirements, we’re here to help you stay ahead of the changes while making your vacancies more attractive to today’s job seekers.
How We Can Help
Recruitment practices continue to evolve, and keeping up with proposed employment law changes can be challenging.
At The HR Booth, we help employers review their recruitment processes, develop fair and consistent pay structures, and ensure they are prepared for future employment law developments.
If you’d like to discuss your recruitment practices or prepare for potential changes around pay transparency, our team is here to help.
