Commenting on this year's A level results, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers' union said:

"The increase in students taking science, technology, English and mathematics subjects is obviously welcome and shows that when Government uses evidence and argument rather than resorting to yet more legislation it has a much greater effect.

"The introduction of A* at A level has introduced a way for the Russell Group of universities of filtering candidates for selection without the rounded interview processes which have enabled many candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds to go to those universities.

"The drought in university places is a tragedy for many youngsters and is a standing rebuke to the coalition Government. All the international evidence, to which Michael Gove often refers, shows that high numbers of degree holders is good for countries' economies and society.

"The Diploma seems to have lost its way with a tiny number of entries and gender stereotyping evidence in the selection of courses.

"With the exception of Spanish the disastrous decline of students taking a modern foreign language continues. This is a result of successive governments underestimating how vital possessing a modern foreign language is to Britain's role globally.

"Every year our young people demonstrate their commitment and enthusiasm for learning, and every year despite this there is a chorus of criticism from those who simply can't believe that it is young people's efforts and the quality of teaching that have yielded the results. Those critics cling tenaciously to the unsubstantiated allegation that somehow exam standards are falling. Parents, young people and the general public should ignore those critics and celebrate young people's success.