Also, large parts of the UK culturally have difficulty talking about money. (Exceptions are Yorkshire, which is proud of it's difference here, and (parts of?) Scotland). That's not going to change overnight, so making disclosure a legal requirement is a fair solution.
It isn't uncommon to be given an acceptable figure, go through several rounds of interviews and end up with job offer but with a lower salary than initially agreed because the recruiter padded the numbers.
No, it doesn't lose the negotiation. What makes you think so? Setting anchors and controlling the document is very powerful.
But yes, you need to know what you can get, and you need to be able and willing to walk away.
> They're already anchored, because they know what everyone else is making.
Different people make different amounts of money.
> I'm looking for $120K to $130K. Before we get further into the process I want to confirm that this salary range is what would be discussed if we get to an offer.
Or they can just lie and say yeah we cover that.
If you ask for their range, if they are honest, provide their range.
If dishonest, now they have to provide a range which is within the range you are looking for, and is probably more difficult to gauge.
I find it easier to lie on a yes or no question, than a question of quantity.
But in the end, if you provide a quote, they may save themselves money if you value yourself below market.