23. To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps he is taking to maintain academic standards of GCSE qualifications. (270754)

In April 2008 we established Ofqual as an independent regulator to ensure that standards in qualifications are maintained. It will report directly to Parliament on standards in the qualifications system in England.

Ofqual has an established programme for reviewing standards in GCSEs and, if any issues are identified, will ensure that robust action is taken to address them. This should end the annual debate about standards, which undermines the achievements of millions of students.