Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect on A-Level grade attainment of the increase in the number of students receiving unconditional offers from universities; and if he will make a statement.

I am concerned about the increase in unconditional offers and any adverse impact they may be having on students’ A level grades. That is why I’m looking closely at the practice and have asked the regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), to review the practice, and in particular, to assess the impact it might be having on attainment. If negative impacts on students are highlighted through this review, I will expect the OfS to take robust action, in accordance with its powers set out in legislation.