The Cabinet Office launched a consultation into pay and reducing discrimination in the summer, and the government said there had been "overwhelming support" for greater transparency, with 94% of respondents backing the move.

"Whether you're a young person starting out or a parent trying to support your family, you should know what a job pays before spending your time and effort applying for it," Burnham said.

The government said the move was part of attempts to reduce the nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training - or "Neet" - ahead of the final report of the Milburn Review into youth inactivity, which is due in the coming weeks.

Publishing salary details upfront could "expose unjustified differences in pay, give workers greater confidence to challenge discrimination and prevent disagreements over pay escalating into disputes".

The proposals are similar to measures being introduced in the European Union.…