IMPOSSIBLE TORY EXAM PLANS ARE GIMMICKS

Labour schools chief's blast

- LIZZY BUCHAN

LABOUR'S schools chief has branded Rishi Sunak's plans to scrap A-levels as undeliverable.

Bridget Phillipson accused the Conservatives of resorting to gimmicks after 13 years of failure.

The Shadow Education Secretary said exam changes for 16 to 18-year-olds would be impossible before the chronic teacher shortage is tackled.

The PM this week said he wanted to merge A-levels and T-levels into a baccalaureate-style Advanced British Standard qualification.

Backed by Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, pupils would have to study five subjects, rather than three, and learn English and maths up to 18.

But teens will not begin sitting this new qualification until the late-2030s.