Education Secretary abandons plans to scrap GCSEs

Following opposition from the Liberal Democrats and criticism from across the political spectrum, teachers and regulators, Education Secretary Michael Gove has abandoned his plan to scrap GCSEs and replace them with a new, tougher English Baccalaureate.

The news comes days after the cross-party Commons Education Committee said the Government had "not proved its case" that GCSEs should be abolished in key academic subjects.

The Education Secretary will make a statement to the Commons later, where he is expected to report that he is still working to toughen up the exam system.

This is the second time Mr Gove's reforms have been been vetoed by the Liberal Democrats after they vetoed plans to replace GCSEs with a two-tier exam system last year.

Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said "This is a humiliating climbdown from Michael Gove. It shows why he should have listened to business leaders, headteachers and experts in the first place and not come up with a plan on the back of an envelope...

"He needs to go back to the drawing board and develop a curriculum and exam system that meets our future challenges as a country.

"Labour wants to work with the Government to forge a long-term consensus on exam and curriculum reform. We would welcome cross party talks."