It was a "fundamental mistake" to believe a controversial algorithm initially used for A-level and GCSE results would "ever be acceptable to the public", the head of the exams watchdog has said.
Roger Taylor, chair of Ofqual, launched a full-throated defence of the body's role in the exams fiasco during an appearance in front of MPs.
He told the education select committee that the body advised the government against cancelling this summer's exams because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ofqual suggested to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson that they be held in a "socially distanced manner" due to COVID-19, Mr Taylor added.
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Mr Taylor told MPs that the situation was "rapidly getting out of control" and policies were being put forward by Mr Williamson that "weren't consistent with our legal duties".
The education secretary has resisted calls to resign over the row, but told Sky News last month he is "incredibly sorry for the distress" caused to students.
More from Covid-19
He said up until A-level results day he had "every confidence" the algorithm would not penalise disadvantaged students.
But over the following weekend, when he said "it became clear there were anomalies", the government U-turned and reverted back to using teachers' predicted grades for A-levels and GCSEs.
PM blames 'mutant algorithm' for exams fiasco
When the results were released it was revealed that nearly 40% of A-level marks had been downgraded in England.
The system also appeared to advantage private schools, which saw nearly double the number of increases in top marks year-on-year compared to state comprehensives.
Boris Johnson was accused of "shamelessly trying to avoid taking responsibility" for the debacle after blaming the "mutant" algorithm.
The prime minister had previously defended the system, describing the marks given to students as "robust" and "dependable".
Mr Johnson will face a barrage of questions from both sides of the House of Commons today during his first Prime Minister's Questions since parliament's summer recess began on July 22. MPs are returning to Westminster for the first time in six weeks, with the Prime Minister insisting his Government has not lost its way with the coronavirus crisis, claiming "sometimes it is necessary" to change direction in "response to the facts as they change". But his defence comes as a series of policy u-turns are increasingly infuriating Conservative backbenchers, with one warning the events are a "mega-disaster from one day to the next".
The Government has been humiliated following the A-level exams controversy and whether these will be delayed for students next year amid continued disruption, as well as whether Portugal and Greece will be added to England's coronavirus quarantine list.
Scotland will tell travellers to isolate for 14 days when returning from Greece, while Wales will do the same for those coming back from the island of Zante, but England has decided not to reimpose the crucial measure, leaving several ministers throughout Westminster baffled.
On Tuesday, Mr Johnson chaired his first Cabinet meeting since the return from summer recess, and told his top team in the last few months they have been "sailing into the teeth of a gale, no question".
He said: "I am no great nautical expert, but sometimes it is necessary to tack here and there in response to the facts as they change, in response to the wind's change, but we have been going steadily in the direction, in the course we set out, and we have not been blown off that course."
Tory leader poll: Who should be the next Conservative Party leader? (Image: GETTY)
Boris Johnson is facing mounting pressure from his own backbenches (Image: GETTY)
The Prime Minister warned there would still be "some turbulence ahead" and that things would be "difficult" on the economic front, while the need remained to "get this disease absolutely out of our systems".
But the pressure is building on Mr Johnson, with one senior MP telling the PA news agency his colleagues are "tired of the u-turns".
He warned there is an "element of calamity" and that there are Tories from marginal and so-called red wall seats that were won in the last election from Labour who are "getting jittery".
The MP added: "We'd like to be in a Government that has the impression of being competent, rather than lurching from one issue to another and then after a short time doing a U-turn."
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs, said the panel's executives expect to meet Mr Johnson in the "near future" to relay the concerns of backbenchers.
He told PA: "I think there is a lot of sympathies (among Conservative MPs) for the fact it has been unprecedented, but then I think we mustn't make other own goals.
"We may have a big majority but that still doesn't mean to say that we shouldn't be as competent as possible as a Government."
Now with pressure being piling onto Mr Johnson, several names have been tipped to replace him as Conservative Party leader if he chooses to resign or is somehow forced out.
Rishi Sunak is the bookies' favourity to become the next Conservative Party leader (Image: GETTY)
Michael gove has twice lost out on Conservative leadership elections (Image: GETTY)
Rishi Sunak, who has only been part of the Cabinet for just under a year, is the bookies' hot favourite to be the next Tory leader at odds of just 3/1 with Bet365.
The Chancellor, who has headed up several multi-billion pound packages during the coronavirus pandemic, including the popular furlough scheme, has long been tipped by bookmakers to one day become Prime minister.
Michael Gove, who is currently Cabinet Office Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is second favourite at odds of 8/1.
The political veteran, who has been heavily influential in Brexit, has twice lost out on Tory leadership elections - first to Theresa May in 2016 and most recently to Mr Johnson last year.
Dominic Raab, the current Foreign Secretary who also served as Brexit Secretary for a short period in 2018 under the premiership of Mrs May, is third favourite at odds of 10/1.
Dominic Raab is the current Foreign Secretary and former Brexit Secretary (Image: GETTY)
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He is followed by Jeremy Hunt, who was edged out in last year's Tory leadership race by Mr Johnson, on odds of 14/1, as well as former chancellor Sajid Javid and current Health Secretary Matt Hancock - who has been heavily involved in the Government's handling of the coronavirus crisis - both on odds of 16/1.
They are followed by Priti Patel on 20/1, with Penny Mordaunt, James Cleverly, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Tom Tugendhat on 25/1, and Johnny Mercer on 28/1.
There are also a number of outsiders being touted by the bookies, including Robert Jenrick, Ruth Davidson, Liz Truss, Gavin Williamson, Rory Stewart and Victoria Atkins.
Boris Johnson has odds of 3/1 at Betway to leave his post as Conservative Party leader this year, with the same odds with both Betfair and Paddy Power for an exit in 2021.
But he is favourite among the bookies to leave the leadership role in 2022 or later, at odds of just 1/3 with Betfair and Paddy Power.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has blasted the easing of coronavirus restrictions in parts of northern England as "completely illogical".
Measures were lifted overnight in Bolton, Stockport and Trafford despite concerns from some local councils.
Mr Burnham said it meant boroughs with rising cases were restriction-free but others with lower numbers were not.
The government said it was working closely with local authorities "in response to the changing situation".
Mr Burnham urged people in Bolton and Trafford to "continue to follow the guidance" not to have social gatherings at home.
"We find ourselves in a completely unsustainable position," he said.
Mr Burnham said the restrictions were "always hard to explain to the public but they're completely illogical now".
"Overnight we've had restrictions released from two boroughs where we've got a rising number of cases - in one case in the red zone - and neighbouring boroughs are still under restrictions but with much lower numbers of cases," he said.
'Are we in or out?'
Mr Burnham said people across the whole of Greater Manchester should "continue to minimise mixing in the home", saying it was safer "for your family to do that".
"Whether your borough is under restrictions or not I just think that's a good guiding principle".
Bolton currently has one of the highest rates of new virus cases per 100,000 residents in England.
The measures have also been eased in Burnley, Hyndburn, parts of Bradford, excluding Bradford city and Keighley town, parts of Calderdale, excluding Halifax, and parts of Kirklees, excluding Dewsbury and Batley.
Socialise in groups of up to two households indoors or private gardens
Stay overnight at somebody else's home but must try to social distance
Book close contact services such as facials and brow or eyelash treatments
Visit bowling alleys, roller rinks, soft play centres and casinos
Measures were imposed at the end of July amid a rise in cases.
Bolton, Trafford and Stockport have joined Wigan in being allowed to have two households socialise indoors.
In Manchester, Salford, Rochdale, Bury and Tameside it is still banned. In Oldham people are advised not to meet up with other households outdoors as well.
Analysis
By Daniel Wainwright, BBC England Data Unit
The rise in cases in Trafford and Bolton shows how quickly the situation with coronavirus can change.
On Friday the government announced it was easing the localised lockdown restrictions in parts of Greater Manchester from Wednesday.
Pointing to data for the week to 20 August, it said "cases in Bolton and Stockport fell from 25.6 (per 100,000 residents) to 18.9, and 23 to 15.1 respectively, and Trafford fell from 27.1 to 17.8."
Yet even then, there was concern that the rate was rising. The Labour leader of Trafford Council, Andrew Western, said the more recent data had shown a "slight increase".
And based on data released on Tuesday evening, Trafford's rate for the week to 29 August was more than 35 cases per 100,000.
In Bolton it was 59 cases per 100,000, driven in particular by high numbers of cases on 27, 28 and 29 August.
Yet the easing of restrictions has gone ahead and different parts of Greater Manchester have different rules.
Catalina Sastra, who runs the Party and Play, funhouse in Bolton was planning to re-open next week but said the changes were confusing.
"We're teetering on the edge... we are due to open with an online booking system, temperature reading, we've had all the screens put up... but it's just if it's on or if it's off", she said.
"It's a bit like playing hokey-cokey. Are we in or are we out?"
Lauren Barlow, who runs a beauty parlour in Great Lever, said she was "very happy" restrictions had lifted as about 40% of her business was facial treatments.
She said she had been "very worried" and her customers had been disappointed at the limited services with "most of Bolton pretty fed up with it all now".
Mr Burnham said he was asking the government to "talk to us today about an exit strategy from this".
He said blanket restrictions had become less effective so "targeted interventions at a community level" need to be introduced, particularly "door-to-door interventions to do testing, tracing and messaging".
He also requested financial support to help people self-isolating.
"We are confident that would be much more effective than poorly targeted blanket restrictions," he said.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: "We are working closely with leaders and local authorities across Greater Manchester and Lancashire in response to the changing situation and we keep all local restrictions under constant consideration."
Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire have been put into a local lockdown - but what does this mean for you?
Nicola Sturgeon announced a ban on indoor household gatherings in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus after a recent spike in cases.
This means thousands of people now face reimposed lockdown rules which will change weddings celebrations, seeing friends and visiting relatives in care homes.
Heres everything you need to know about the new lockdown restrictions:
Nicola Sturgeon announced a ban on indoor household gatherings in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus (Image: PA)
Where are lockdown restrictions in place?
The restrictions apply to residents in West Dunbartonshire, the City of Glasgow and East Renfrewshire.
The lockdown will affect more than 800,000 people.
What are the new restrictions?
The First Minister has banned people living in three council areas from visiting other households.
People should not host friends or family from other households in their own homes or visit another person's home.
The First Minister stressed that people living in the affected areas should not visit someone else's home, no matter where it is.
If anyone in these areas is showing symptoms then everyone in the household should self-isolate for two weeks.
Sturgeon said the transmission of the Covid-19 virus was mainly happening inside people's homes.
The only exception is for those in extended households, who can continue to meet indoors with enhanced hygiene measures in place.
An extended household, or social bubble, is for vulnerable people living alone or those living only with children under the age of 18 who need extra support.
Can I visit care homes or hospitals?
Only essential indoor visits will be allowed in hospitals and care homes to protect the most vulnerable.
Outdoor visits to care homes will be permitted for up to three people from a maximum of two households, in line with current guidance.
Hospital visiting will be restricted to the lockdown visiting rules and will be limited to:
A birth partner during childbirth
For a person receiving end-of-life care
Support someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed
Accompany a child in hospital
When will the restrictions come into force and how long could they last?
The restrictions came into force on Tuesday at midnight.
Nicola Sturgeon said the measures will be reviewed in a week's time, but it's expected they will be in place for two weeks.
The First Minister also said she can't guarantee the restrictions won't be imposed for longer, or that tougher measures won't be brought in to tackle the spread of coronavirus in the affected areas.
Can I visit people from other households?
You cannot meet people from other households.
Some exceptions do apply - including emergencies, caring for vulnerable people or people in ‘extended households’.
People from different households - such as a friends or partners - can continue to meet outdoors as long as they follow the guidance.
Outdoor settings include in a garden, park or hospitality settings.
Will schools and nurseries stay open?
Schools and nurseries will remain open in the affected areas.
Plans for the opening of colleges and universities will also go ahead as planned.
If you are due to move into halls of residence or other shared accommodation for higher or further education you should still do this.
Informal childcare can continue where the children are from the same household.
Will I need to shield again?
Shielding was paused on 1 August and is not being re-instated at this time.
People who had been shielding should strictly follow physical distancing and hygiene measures and may also want to think about the levels of risk associated with work and daily activities.
Children who are shielding should still attend school, however the government will keep this under review.
Will pubs and restaurants remain open?
Pubs and restaurants will continue to serve customers in the three council areas.
The First Minister said 'closing pubs would be an additional measure' which at the moment is not considered 'proportionate'.
She tweeted: "Our data suggests that spread in and between households is driving much of the transmission just now.
"That doesn’t mean there are no cases in pubs etc - but unlike in Aberdeen, pub clusters don’t appear, at this stage, to be main driver. That analysis has guided decisions..."
I have a holiday booked in an area in lockdown- what should I do?
If people are already in the area visiting family or on holiday then they do not need to leave, but are asked to follow the recommendations in this guidance and take extra care when returning home.
However, where people are intending to use self-catering accommodation with different households from affected areas but which are booked in unaffected areas, they should not do so.
Can shared parenting still take place?
Children whose parents do not live in the same household, can continue to move between households to maintain existing relationships with their parents, provided it is safe to do so.
A parent includes a person who is not a parent of the child but who has parental responsibilities for or care of the child.
Coronavirus in Scotland
Can my wedding go ahead?
Marriages and civil partnerships held indoors in private dwellings should not take place at the moment.
Marriages and civil partnerships outdoors or in indoor public spaces can continue to take place, in line with the general restriction that no more than 20 should attend.
Attendance at funerals within or outwith City of Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire continues to be permitted, provided that funeral service guidance is complied with.
John Swinney said a rise in Covid cases was driven by household contacts and not the hospitality sector.
The new rules affect more than 800,000 people in Glasgow City, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire.
Mr Swinney told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme that it was important to take "early action" in the three areas to avoid having to take "more significant action" later which could affect the economy and schools.
He explained: "It's necessary because we feel we have to nip this particular problem in the bud in the west of Scotland.
"Across the whole of the country the number of positive cases per 100,000 is 9.2. In West Dunbartonshire it's 32.6, in Glasgow it's 21.8 and in East Renfrewshire it's 18.8 - so we've got sizeably different position in these three local authority areas."
The restrictions are different to ones introduced in Aberdeen in August, which included a five-mile travel limit for leisure and holidays, as well as the closure of pubs and restaurants.
The contrast has been criticised by Douglas Lumsden, the co-leader of Aberdeen City Council and Conservative group leader.
In a series of tweets, he said: I hope that @NicolaSturgeon will explain to businesses in Aberdeen that were forced to close, why Glasgow businesses are not being forced to close.
"Aberdeen was locked down for 3 weeks, no hospitality, no travel, no visiting. Glasgow lockdown = no visiting."
He added: "Glasgow lockdown. No household gatherings so meet your pals in the pub instead."
In Glasgow city, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire people are being told not to host people from other households in their own homes or visit another person's home.
The restrictions came into effect from midnight. They will last for two weeks, but will be reviewed after a week.
People living in those areas should also not visit someone else's home, no matter where it is.
Mr Swinney said he understood Mr Lumsden's frustration, but said the councillor should be "careful with some of his language".
"The problem in Aberdeen stemmed from the hospitality sector, so we had to focus on the hospitality sector," he said.
"Here in Glasgow, we don't have evidence of that taking its course, so it would be inappropriate and disproportionate to take that action.
"We have got evidence from the contact tracing that has been undertaken on an extensive basis that this is predominantly emanating from household contacts."
'Wake-up call'
Mr Swinney said the Scottish government needed to get on top of the rise in cases before it led to a more "widespread problem" in the west of Scotland and the whole country.
Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said they should be a "wake-up call" for the whole country to stick to government guidelines on preventing the spread of Covid-19.
She had raised concerns earlier after the latest daily figures showed 66 of the 154 new cases recorded in Scotland had been in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
The first minister added that Covid-19 continued to be a dangerous and potentially deadly virus which was spreading in the Glasgow area "primarily as a result of household gatherings".
Glasgow wakes to new lockdown: Nicola Sturgeon enforces restrictions on city's 800,000 people and nearby regions after spike in Covid cases - with measures to last at least 14 days
Glasgow is waking up to new restrictions today following a spike in covid cases
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the move after 66 new positive tests
Restrictions on visiting other households now apply to people living in Glasgow
Glasgow is waking up to new lockdown restrictions today following a spike in coronavirus cases.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the move after 66 new positive tests were recorded in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area yesterday.
Restrictions on visiting other households now apply to people living in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire.
Exceptions were given – on top of emergency circumstances or providing care to a vulnerable person – for extended households which were established during lockdown.
This includes people who live alone, couples who do not reside together and parents who live alone with children under 18.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the move after 66 new positive tests were recorded in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area yesterday
Under the new rules - which also apply to West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire - residents are no longer allowed to meet up with other households indoors
Indoor visits to hospitals and care homes will be limited to 'essential-only' to protect the most vulnerable
It is expected the measures will be in place for two weeks, however the Scottish Government will review them after one week
Ms Sturgeon said: 'I have just chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government's Resilience Room (SGoRR) which met to discuss the rising number of new Covid-19 cases across Scotland but particularly the rising number of cases in recent days in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.
'Over the past two days, we have seen 314 new cases in Scotland and 135 of these in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
What are the new lockdown rules imposed in West Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire and Glasgow
No meeting people from other households indoors
Members of different households - who are not in a bubble - should only meet outdoors or in hospitality settings with social distancing
Any close contacts of someone who has tested positive should isolate for 14 days
Only essential visits to hospitals and care homes
Outdoor visits to care homes are allowed. There should only be three people at a time and the visit cannot last longer than two hours
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'If these numbers continue or – and this is the fear – they rise further, then more people will fall ill from Covid-19 and more people will enter hospital and intensive care.'
She added: 'Transmission appears mainly to be happening inside people's homes and between households, rather than in pubs and restaurants.
'Having carefully considered the data and consulted with local public health officials, local authorities and Police Scotland – all of whom were involved in the resilience meeting discussion that has just taken place – I can therefore confirm this evening that we have decided to take the following action.
'From midnight tonight, if you live in local authority areas of East Renfrewshire, the city of Glasgow or West Dunbartonshire you should not host people from other households in your home and you should not visit someone else's home – no matter where that is.'
It is expected the measures will be in place for two weeks, however the Scottish Government will review them after one week.
Meanwhile, indoor visits to hospitals and care homes will be limited to 'essential-only' to protect the most vulnerable.
Outdoor visits to care homes will be permitted for up to three people from a maximum of two households, in line with current guidance.
Schools and nurseries will remain open, and plans for the opening of colleges and universities remain in place.
Ms Sturgeon added: 'I understand this will not be welcome news for people living in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire but it is necessary to help us limit the spread of Covid-19.
'Acting now gives us the time and the space to protect people and get more control over the virus.'
