Calls go out for fairer salary structures

At a time when 76% of UK employers report difficulties in finding talent, and people-facing roles have the worst shortages, while also being the lowest paid, there’s an urgent call to review salary structures for fairer pay for skills rather than the location.

Changes to National Insurance Contribution and other employer costs in April have had a significant impact on employer costs in industries where the majority of workers are on the lower end of the pay spectrum. Impacting the customer service and social care sectors the most, these mounting costs mean employers are having to make difficult salary decisions.

As inflation continues, employers the length and breadth of the country are struggling to keep pace with salary demands. London continues to outpace the rest of the UK in pay, but the skills demanded are the same as roles elsewhere in the UK. In fact, the 2025 Customer Care & Social Care Salary Guides, by Brook Street shows that London is the highest-paying region for most roles in the UK, sometimes paying almost double the salary of an equivalent role outside the capital.

Aston spoke to Peter Andrewez, manager at Brook Street (London).

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