Question to the Department for Education:

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that students due to sit exams in academic year 2019-20 will be able to progress into employment or the next stage of education.

Ofqual, the independent qualifications regulator, has put in place arrangements that will enable students to receive a grade wherever possible.

The calculated grades awarded this summer will be formal grades, with the same status as grades awarded in any other year. They will therefore be accepted by all institutions.

University representatives have already confirmed that they expect universities to do all they can to support students and ensure they can progress to higher education.

Students who cannot get a grade or would like the opportunity to improve their grades will be able to sit exams in the autumn.