Plaid Cymru accuses Labour and Lib Dems of ‘staggering hypocrisy’ in row over A-level downgrading in Wales

Plaid Cymru has accused Labour and Liberal Democrats of “staggering hypocrisy” when it comes to the downgrading of A-level students in Wales.

Both parties voiced outrage that nearly 40% of learner in England have had their results marked down.

In Wales, education is devolved to the Labour-run Welsh Government, with the lone Liberal Democrat Member of Senedd, Kirsty Williams, in charge of the portfolio.

It is estimated that 42% of Welsh A-level students have had their results downgraded from teacher estimates.

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price MS has hit out at the two parties and called for the government to upgrade the results of learners awarded less than their teachers’ predictions.

He said: “The hypocrisy from UK Labour and Liberal Democrat parties in their vocal outcry of UK Government’s ‘botched grading system’ and of ‘robbing’ these students of their future while their Welsh Government counterparts commit the same gross error is staggering.

“Mistrust in the system couldn’t have been communicated louder by students, teachers and even Welsh Labour’s own back-benchers.

“Pupils who were awarded lesser grades than the teacher assessments in A-level and AS exams should be upgraded to the teacher assessment grades.

“If this approach is being advocated by the UK Labour leader in England, why is the Labour First Minister in Wales so stubbornly against?

“Further, this should be used as the mechanism for awarding GSCE results and this should be communicated to learners today for peace of mind.”