LIFE ON DOLE FOR STUDENTS

Almost 17,000 newly-qualified students did not find work after leaving university last year, official statistics show – a rise of eight per cent.

And this summer, despite years of extra study and crippling students debts, thousands more will struggle to find jobs after graduation.

A survey of the top 100 graduate employers found that vacancies for students leaving university this summer have already been cut by 28 per cent.

Shadow universities secretary David Willetts said: “These figures show yet again that young people are the biggest victims of the recession.”

Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students, said: “These figures foretell the crisis awaiting graduates this summer as a result of the recession.”