London Students Pull Further Ahead in Top A-level Grades

England's 2026 A-level results, published 13 August, show record top grades nationally. London's highest-grade rate hit 32.7%; the north-east and East Midlands each reached about 23.1%. The gap between London and the north-east grew to 9.6 points, up from 3.9 in 2019. This divide affects university access and tests Prime Minister Burnham's push to reduce regional inequality.