I am deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Nicaragua, particularly the excessive use of force by the authorities and pro-government armed groups against the people of Nicaragua. Reports of human rights abuses, including the use of live ammunition, are alarming and should be thoroughly investigated. For stability to return to the country the Nicaraguan Government must take responsibility for ending the violence and provide safe conditions for peaceful dialogue to resume.

The UK supports the work by the Organisation of American States, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the UN, and we urge the Nicaraguan authorities to allow them to carry out their work without any interference. We also welcome the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference’s mediation role and encourage all parties to commit to a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

Around one million public sector workers are set to benefit from the biggest pay rise in almost 10 years, the government announced today (24 July 2018). The 1% cap ended last year in recognition that dedicated public sector workers deserve a pay rise.

A balanced approach to the economy means that today’s increases are affordable within government spending plans:

• members of the Armed Forces will receive a well-above inflation increase of 2.9% (2% consolidated, 0.9% non-consolidated), with today’s award worth £680 in pay to an average soldier, plus a one-off payment of £300
• the teachers’ award means the main pay range will increase by 3.5% (2% to upper pay range and 1.5% to leadership). Schools will determine how it is set
• all prison officers will get at least a 2.75% (2% consolidated, 0.75% non-consolidated) increase this year, with many getting higher awards
• a police award of 2% (all consolidated) will mean average pay for a Constable will now be more than £38,600 per year

• a pay increase of at least 2% for junior doctors, specialist doctors, GPs and dentists. Consultants will also get a pay rise of at least £1,150

  (From October 2018: 2% for dentists and junior doctors consolidated / 1.5% consolidated for consultants with an additional 0.5% targeted at performance pay / 3% consolidated pay rise for specialty (SAS) Doctors / Backdated to April 2018: 2% for GPs consolidated, with an additional 1% potentially available from April 2019 subject to contract reform)

This follows the 6.5% pay rise over three years that was announced in March for more than a million nurses, midwives and other Agenda for Change staff, in return for modernisation of terms and conditions. It is also vital that our world class public services continue modernising to meet rising demand for the incredible services they provide, which improve lives and keep us safe. Secretaries of State will be taking forward work to continue modernising their workforces in the coming years.

Today’s increases are funded from departmental budgets. Current and future affordability across the whole public sector was considered when agreeing final awards, alongside the advice of the Pay Review Bodies. This is to ensure that resources are available to invest in public service improvement, and that awards are sustainable without an increasing burden of debt being passed onto future generations. The UK already spends around £50bn a year on debt interest, more than is spent on the police and armed forces combined.

Today’s announcement is on top of good overall remuneration packages in place for public sector workers:

• public sector workers continue to benefit from better pensions than those offered in the private sector.
• median pay for full time employees in the public sector is £30,630 compared to £27,977 in the private sector.
• pay awards are on top of performance and progression pay, which remains automatic for some workforces.

The conference forms part of the CMA’s commitment to explore challenges for the vulnerable in the UK, particularly in response to the growth of digital markets.

Andrew Tyrie, Chair of the CMA, said:

Companies and traders across the UK need to know that if they’re ripping people off, and exploiting the vulnerable, the CMA may be round to see them.

It has already been accepted, in principle, that the CMA’s powers need to be bolstered, including giving us the power to fine firms if they break consumer protection law.

And if it turns out that we still don’t have all the powers we need, we will ask for them.

All options are on the table. That includes more vigorous enforcement, tough market wide intervention and legislative change. Staying where we are is not an option.

As part of a re-examination of the CMA’s legislative framework, I have asked for further work to be done on how the regime could be strengthened better to protect the vulnerable.

Helping vulnerable people is one of the CMA’s strategic priorities in its Annual Plan for 2018/19 and also a priority for the Government, as set out in its Modernising Consumers Markets Green Paper.

The CMA is undertaking a programme of work on supporting vulnerable people. It will publish a final report later this year, which will draw on findings from the conference, a series of roundtables and targeted research. This includes looking at the poverty premium – the extent to which those on low incomes may pay more for the same goods and services than those on higher incomes.

The work will help inform the CMA’s future case selection, its analysis of markets and the development of remedies to consumer problems.

Notes to editors

Media enquiries should be directed to press@cma.gov.uk or 020 3738 6460.

Leading women from the food and farming sectors from around the country will join Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns at an event to celebrate Welsh women’s contributions to British farming at the Royal Welsh Show today (24 July).

Among those joining the Welsh Secretary will be former Welsh Woman Farmer of the Year Abi Reader, founder of Halen Mon (Anglesey Sea Salt) Alison Lea-Wilson and Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones, Managing Partner of Agri Advisor, each joining and driving forward the discussion on promoting and increasing the number of women looking to the industry for a rewarding career.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

Farming, like any industry, needs to attract new talent and ideas and harness the skills of both young women and men.

Our event today provides us with an excellent opportunity to celebrate the contribution women are making to farming – from agricultural engineering to food production and advising retailers and supermarkets.

With agricultural often perceived as a male-dominated industry, it’s important we recognise the leading role women are playing. Now I want to see the industry build on this and more women taking on jobs in farming.

The event will provide a platform for discussion on a wide range of issues relating to women in farming, including the barriers women continue to face when starting and building a career in the industry, and how to encourage more female students and women to consider farming as a serious career choice.

Dairy farmer Abi Reader from Wenvoe in the Vale of Glamorgan will attend the event. Ms Reader was crowned Wales Woman Farmer of the Year at the Royal Welsh Show in 2016 – an award that seeks to champion the contribution that women make to the agricultural industry and to raise the profile of women in farming.

Ms Reader said:

Raising the profile of women in farming is important to help girls of school age and above see the fantastic opportunities to be had from working in the farming sector and inspire them to become a part of it.

Too often farming is overlooked as a career choice by girls but anyone can play a role in food production and countryside management as long as you have the dedication and passion to do it.

ENDS