Nick Gibb: 'Reform of GCSEs needed'

The former schools minister has told BBC Radio 4 that the GCSE system in England and Wales is in need of "major reform".

His comments come after the exams watchdog admitted that the problems in grading GCSE English have had a "serious impact on perceptions of fairness".

Conservative MP Nick Gibb told The World At One: "I think it is important that we do have a major reform of our GCSEs, to ensure that they have the confidence of the public, and that they are comparable with the best qualifications in the world.

"There is evidence from academic researchers that show that there has been grade inflation over the decades. And a major contributory factor to that is that exam boards are competing for share of the exam market from schools."

The Education Select Committee is currently investigating claims that summer exam grades were manipulated downwards.