Boris Johnson: lift 1% ceiling on public sector pay increases

Foreign secretary becomes latest frontbencher to demand change of direction on austerity

Boris Johnson has waded into the escalating cabinet row over public-sector pay, throwing his weight behind calls for the 1% ceiling on wage rises to be lifted for austerity-weary workers including nurses and teachers.

The chancellor, Philip Hammond, has come under increasing pressure to ease spending constraints in several areas since the general election deprived Theresa May of her majority. Johnson is the latest cabinet heavyweight to demand a change of direction.