The National Union of Students (NUS) today called for a celebration of this year’s A-level results and to shake off the ‘humbug’ approach that dominates annual coverage.

Today’s A-level results show an increase in both the pass rate and the proportion of entries awarded an A grade but, the union argues, also signals the annual rush to question students' capabilities and to claim A-levels are getting easier.

Wes Streeting, NUS National President, said:

“The debate about A-level results has been historically one-sided, relying on well-worn claims that both the questions and the systems used to mark them are getting easier.

"Those who continue to devalue the achievements of A-level students repeatedly fail to recognise that the year-on-year rise in standards has come about because of hard work on the part of the students and their teachers.

"We should therefore celebrate the educational achievements of students up and down the country."

He said today's job market was incredibly competitive, which put young people under unprecedented pressure.

That meant they had to work harder than ever before.