Failing young people’s futures ‘not an option’, says Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer has warned the Conservatives that a second year of results chaos which fails to protect young people’s futures is ‘not an option’.

Ahead of a crunch week for young people all over the country, the Labour leader is pressing the Prime Minister to ‘show some leadership, step-in and ensure his inept government does not cost young people their future opportunities’.

Starmer has set out three tests the government must meet by 31 August, including a ‘next step guarantee’ for pupils, an appeals system that works and support for education professionals. The latter will need the government to set out the support which will be available to staff so they are equipped to advise and support pupils need urgent clarity on the support available to them throughout results week.

Starmer said: “I have a very vivid memory of the day I got my A level results – of the pressure, nerves and worry that my entire path could be determined by what was on that sheet of paper. It frustrates me immensely that this week’s big moment in so many young people’s lives is being risked by the chaos and incompetence at the top of this government.

“This abject refusal of Boris Johnson to get a grip has created huge extra stress for students and baked unfairness into the assessment process. Young people and our dedicated education staff have worked incredibly hard, but they have been let down time and time again by Boris Johnson’s failure to stand-up for their futures.

“No young person should lose out because of Conservative chaos which is why we are calling on the Prime Minister to fix this mess his Education Secretary has created and deliver on our three tests so all young people can move onto the next stage of their lives.”