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Responding to the Daily Telegraph鈥檚 investigation Education Secretary Michael Gove said:

Our exams system needs fundamental reform. Today鈥檚 revelations confirm that the current system is discredited. I congratulate the Daily Telegraph on their investigative reporting which is in the finest traditions of public interest journalism.

Last week, Glenys Stacey the new Chief Executive of the exams regulator Ofqual agreed plans with my department to investigate exam boards鈥� behaviour. Today鈥檚 reports confirm the vital importance of that work being speedy, authoritative and extensive.

I have asked Glenys Stacey to investigate the specific concerns identified by the Telegraph, to examine every aspect of the exam boards鈥� conduct which gives rise to concern and to report back to me within two weeks with her conclusions and recommendations for further action.

As I have always maintained, it is crucial our exams hold their own with the best in the world. We will take whatever action is necessary to restore faith in our exam system. Nothing is off the table.

Notes to editors

Two months ago Michael Gove warned the awarding bodies that he would take a very severe view of any suggestion they were dumbing-down standards in search of market share:

鈥�[It鈥檚] important to recognise that no matter how gifted, effective or assertive that particular body is, the responsibility for maintaining standards, and indeed the responsibility for raising standards, rests on all of us. It鈥檚 important that collectively we recognise that exam boards and awarding bodies, in the natural and healthy desire to be the best as an exam board, don鈥檛 succumb to the commercial temptation to elbow others out of the way, by saying to schools and to others 鈥渨e provide an easier route to more passes than others.鈥� I鈥檓 sure that would be a temptation that would never be felt in any breast in this room, but it鈥檚 important that that temptation, whilst it exists, is resisted. If it isn鈥檛, then action might need to be taken.

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Just last week the Department for Education agreed with Ofqual plans to scrutinise the exams market and exam boards鈥� behaviour.

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