Yesterday evening (Sunday, August 9), crews in Acomb were called to Fieldside Place, off Lawrence Street, and Clifton Backies in Water Lane.

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A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said around 6.40pm, firefighters went to the scene of a small fire in Fieldside Place “consisting of paper and wood” and used a knapsack sprayer to put the fire out.

Then, at 8.51pm Acomb crews were mobilised to a report of a fire in the open in Clifton Backies.

The spokesperson said: “After inspection crews confirmed this was two separate areas of fire both measuring approximately five square metres.

“Crews extinguished using knapsack sprayers and beaters.”

The cause of each fire is thought to have been deliberate, the service spokesperson said.

People can ‘expect delays’ on some key routes

Drivers should watch out for the following roads as road works continue across Greater Manchester. People can ‘expect delays’ on some key routes.

Road works can be carried out for a number of reasons including changes being made to a road, emergency repairs, as well as work by utility companies. However a 2025 parliamentary transport committee report said: “They can also be a source of frustration for anyone trying to get around on roads and pavements by causing congestion and delays that harm the economy, disrupt transport services and limit access to high streets and businesses.”

Drivers should be aware of the disruptions and full information about what road works are taking place across Greater Manchester can be found on Transport for Greater Manchester’s website.

BURY:

A roads:

A667 RINGLEY ROAD – WHITEFIELD – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A667 Ringley Road in both directions at The Spinney until 0:00 on 12th August.

A676 BOLTON ROAD – HAWKSHAW – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A676 Bolton Road in both directions at Stanmere Court until 0:00 on 17th August.

BOLTON:

A roads:

A579 BURY ROAD – BOLTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to electricity work on A579 Bury Road in both directions between A58 Bury Road and B6208 Ainsworth Lane until 0:00 on 30th August.

MANCHESTER:

A roads:

A6010 ALAN TURING WAY – MANCHESTER – NORTHBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER

A6010 Alan Turing Way Northbound closed due to emergency repairs and roadworks from A635 Ashton Old Road to Wilson Street until 0:00 on 11th September.

B roads:

B5093 WILMSLOW ROAD – FALLOWFIELD – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B5093 Wilmslow Road in both directions from A6010 Wilmslow Road to Sherwood Street until 17:00 on 25th January 2027.

B5217 MANCHESTER ROAD – CHORLTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to electricity work on B5217 Manchester Road in both directions between Claridge Road and Kensington Road until 0:00 on 14th August.

OLDHAM:

A roads:

A62 OLDHAM WAY – OLDHAM – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

A62 Oldham Way in both directions closed due to roadworks at Manchester Street (Manchester Street roundabout) until 25th September.

There is a diversion down to the roundabout and straight back on again.

A671 ROCHDALE ROAD – ROYTON – NORTHBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER

A671 Rochdale Road Northbound closed due to roadworks from B6195 Middleton Road to Radcliffe Street until 29th January 2027.

A6052 DELPH NEW ROAD – DELPH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A6052 Delph New Road in both directions at Gatehead Business Park until 0:00 on 12th August.

A6052 DENSHAW ROAD – DELPH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to gas main work on A6052 Denshaw Road in both directions between Pingle Lane and Slack Lane until 0:00 on 12th October.

B roads:

B6189 THOMPSON LANE – CHADDERTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to telecoms work on B6189 Thompson Lane in both directions at Wem Street until 17:00 on 14th August.

B6195 MIDDLETON ROAD – ROYTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B6195 Middleton Road in both directions between Shepherd Street and A671 Rochdale Road until 29th January 2027.

B6195 MIDDLETON ROAD – ROYTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B6195 Middleton Road in both directions at High Street until 29th January 2027.

ROCHDALE:

B roads:

B6225 HOLLINGWORTH ROAD – LITTLEBOROUGH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B6225 Hollingworth Road in both directions from Inghams Lane (Littleborough) to Rakewood Road (Smithybridge) until 15:00 on 28th August.

SALFORD:

A roads:

A34 NEW BAILEY STREET – SALFORD – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Roadworks and contraflow on A34 New Bailey Street in both directions at Gore Street until 0:00 on 18th May 2027.

A576 CROMWELL ROAD – SALFORD – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A576 Cromwell Road in both directions at London Street until 17:00 on 4th September.

A5066 ORDSALL LANE – SALFORD QUAYS – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A5066 Ordsall Lane in both directions at Taylorson Street South until 8th January 2027.

A5066 ORDSALL LANE – ORDSALL – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A5066 Ordsall Lane in both directions between Guy Fawkes Street and Nine Acre Drive until 18:00 on 28th August.

B roads:

B5229 HALF EDGE LANE – ECCLES – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to telecoms work on B5229 Half Edge Lane in both directions at B5230 Albert Road until 0:00 on 9th August.

STOCKPORT:

A roads:

A523 MACCLESFIELD ROAD – HAZEL GROVE – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

A523 Macclesfield Road in both directions closed due to gas main work between A5143 Dean Lane and Melford Road until 30th August.

A627 GEORGE LANE – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A627 George Lane in both directions between A560 Stockport Road East and Oldham Drive until 17:00 on 28th August.

A560 HYDE ROAD – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Roadworks and restrictions on A560 Hyde Road in both directions between A627 George Lane and Mill Lane until 17:00 on 28th August.

A560 HYDE ROAD – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A560 Hyde Road in both directions at Poleacre Lane until 0:00 on 12th August.

A560 STOCKPORT ROAD – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A560 Stockport Road in both directions from Poleacre Lane (Woodley) to Elson Drive (Gee Cross) until 0:00 on 12th August.

A560 STOCKPORT ROAD EAST – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A560 Stockport Road East in both directions at A627 George Lane until 17:00 on 28th August.

TAMESIDE:

A roads:

A57 MOTTRAM MOOR – MOTTRAM – EASTBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER

One lane closed due to long-term roadworks on A57 Mottram Moor Eastbound from Stalybridge Road to A6018 Back Moor. Expect delays until 31st December 2027.

TRAFFORD:

A roads:

A538 HALE ROAD – ALTRINCHAM – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A538 Hale Road in both directions at Bold Street until 0:00 on 10th August.

A6144 MANCHESTER ROAD – CARRINGTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A6144 Manchester Road in both directions between School Lane and Maypole Close until 0:00 on 14th August.

A6144 MANCHESTER ROAD – CARRINGTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A6144 Manchester Road in both directions between Carrington Business Park and Common Lane until 0:00 on 17th August.

A6144 WARBURTON LANE – PARTINGTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A6144 Warburton Lane in both directions between Hankinson Close and Cross Lane West until 17:00 on 25th August.

B roads:

B5166 NORTHENDEN ROAD – SALE – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on B5166 Northenden Road in both directions at Park House Drive until 0:00 on 11th August.

B5214 CROFTS BANK ROAD – URMSTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on B5214 Crofts Bank Road in both directions from Derby Road to Sumner Way until 0:00 on 16th August.

WIGAN:

A roads:

A58 GERARD STREET – ASHTON IN MAKERFIELD – SOUTHBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER

A58 Gerard Street Southbound closed due to roadworks from A5062 Wigan Road to A49 Bryn Street (Kings Arms traffic lights) until 22nd November.

A58 MARKET STREET – HINDLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

A58 Market Street in both directions closed due to gas main work between A577 Wigan Road and A577 Cross Street until 0:00 on 31st August.

A577 MANCHESTER ROAD – WIGAN – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to gas main work on A577 Manchester Road in both directions between Birkett Bank and Rosebridge Way until 0:00 on 12th August.

A580 EAST LANCASHIRE ROAD – GOLBORNE – EASTBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER

One lane closed due to roadworks on A580 East Lancashire Road Eastbound from A573 Warrington Road (Golborne Island, Golborne) to the B5207 (Lowton). Expect delays until 0:00 on 30th September.

A49 WIGAN LANE – WIGAN – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A49 Wigan Lane in both directions between Milton Grove and The Woodlands until 16:00 on 14th August.

A49 WIGAN ROAD – STANDISH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A49 Wigan Road in both directions at Roundmoor Road until 0:00 on 14th October.

A572 CHAPEL STREET – LEIGH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A572 Chapel Street in both directions at Bedford Square until 0:00 on 14th August.

A572 MANCHESTER ROAD – ASTLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to gas main work on A572 Manchester Road in both directions at South Lane until 0:00 on 20th September.

A573 ASHTON ROAD – GOLBORNE – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A573 Ashton Road in both directions at May Street until 17:00 on 14th August.

B roads:

B5207 ASHTON ROAD – GOLBORNE – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B5207 Ashton Road in both directions at A573 Wigan Road until 17:00 on 14th August.

B5238 WIGAN ROAD – ASPULL – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to gas main work on B5238 Wigan Road in both directions between Higher Lane and Dukes Row until 0:00 on 1st September.

A monarch jetting around the world might be expected to travel in style, with stellar service, comfortable seats and lavish amenities. 

And the late Queen Elizabeth II was no exception, flying everywhere from Australia and New Zealand to the UAE and Oman during her long reign.

Her last international flight was to Malta in 2015, and she visited 117 countries during her lifetime.

As one of the world’s most famous travellers, she had a number of specific requests and preferences while on board, ranging from the practical to the downright unusual. 

The Daily Mail lifts the lid on Elizabeth’s in-flight requests.

Pre-flight tipple 

Many frequent flyers have a tried-and-tested routine for travelling, whether that’s an airport pint and a Greggs‘ sausage roll or a coffee and a croissant.

The Queen’s routine was not dissimilar – and it started with a pre-flight drink. 

Details of the Queen’s flying habits have emerged from a memorabilia collection compiled by a former flight attendant who worked for British Airways for 28 years from 1970.

Birmingham local Elizabeth Evans served many famous faces throughout her career – with some of the most memorable journeys being the Queen and Prince Philip’s 1989 tour of Singapore and Malaysia.

One note in Ms Evans’ collection said: ‘Her Majesty tends to like a martini before her guests arrive.’ 

A bowl of sugar-free mints

Another note told air stewards to make sure that a bowl of mints was placed beside her before take off – and also in her dressing room. 

A bowl of sugar-free mints was always on hand before take-off, and during the flight

The late Queen, pictured here in 1953, would always bring her own pillows when flying

She favoured Velamints, a sugar-free mint that was launched in the United States in 1977.

The brand is credited as the US’s first sugar-free mint, sweetened with natural sweeteners such as stevia.

Pillow talk 

Pillows are among the most complained-about items on board planes, with many travellers complaining of their discomfort.

While Queen Elizabeth may have enjoyed more comfortable surroundings than the average passenger, she still took her own pillows on board to ensure a good night’s sleep.

Flight attendants working on her flights were given a specific set of instructions on how to treat Queen Elizabeth II.

This included liaising with Her Majesty’s dresser to ensure the Queen’s bed was made up correctly.

‘The Queen has her own pillows,’ a note from the collection read.

Queen Elizabeth II, pictured here disembarking a flight in Trinidad in 2009

She would request not to be woken if the plane landed while she was still asleep

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Getting some rest 

That’s not the only bedtime-related request the royal asked of staff.

British Airways staff on a Concorde jet Queen Elizabeth flew on were told that if she was still asleep upon landing, they were not to disturb her slumber and should leave her in bed. 

Furthermore, she asked for silence while she was sleeping.

According to reports, crew were not permitted to pass through the royal cabin without permission, while noise in the forward galley was prohibited. 

Keeping hydrated 

Hydration is paramount on board – and Her Majesty favoured one brand in particular.

The Queen was also said to insist on having one particular brand of water wherever she travelled: Malvern spring water. 

Former royal spokesman Dickie Arbiter said: ‘The only thing the Queen requests to have wherever she is is Malvern water.

‘She likes Malvern water, it’s refreshing and they usually take lots of it with her.’

She also enjoyed a certain kind of water, reports have indicated

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip during a Royal Tour of Canada in 2010

Plus, to beat jet-lag, the Queen was said to consume barley sugar, in the form of hard-boiled sweets.

Channel 5 documentary Secrets Of The Royal Flight describes barley sugar as the Queen’s ‘secret weapon’. 

While it is not backed by science, reports have explained the sugary snack can help adjust your body clock.

Drivers commuting on the M8 through Glasgow are facing long delays going eastbound.

A serious crash on the M8 in Glasgow left two cars upside down on their roofs as motorists face long delays.

Emergency crews rushed to the eastbound carriageway near Junction 23 at the Dumbreck Interchange around 6.30am this morning. An alarm was raised following reports of a two-vehicle crash.

Commuters were told to expect delays of up to 26 minutes at around 6.51am this morning. Traffic Scotland cameras at Govan and Hillington showed massive tailbacks on the M8 eastbound.

At 7.20am the road was cleared, however, drivers were warned to expect delays of up to 33 minutes. The M74 is understood to have also been affected with traffic building as a result of drivers using it to avoid the crash.

Traffic Scotland wrote on X at 7.20am: “The M8 is now running clear eastbound following an earlier road traffic incident.

“Drivers should still use caution on approach and expect delays as queues remain.

“Current delay approx. 33 min.”

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Police are now looking for a 40-year-old man and a van as part of their investigation

Police are looking for a man who they believe can assist them with an investigation after a man died following violent disorder in Pontypool.

A murder investigation was launched in the days following the incident as a man, named as Anthony “Tony” Jones, 56, died from injuries sustained in the violence. Mr Jones was sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries alongside two other men after the incident, which is alleged to have occurred at around 7pm in Mill Street, Pontnewynydd.

Ten men, aged 31, 33, 34, 39, 40, 40, 45, 59, 61 and 73, were arrested in connection with the disorder. Three men – aged 39, 45 and 61 – have since been released on bail. The other seven men remain in police custody.

Investigating officers have launched an appeal to find 40-year-old Anthony Paul Jones, as they believe he may be able to assist them with their enquiries.

Police also want to locate a blue Ford Transit van, with the registration MA23 FLC, which was reportedly involved in the disorder. The Ford Transit is believed to be missing its front lower nearside panel.

Gwent Police senior investigating officer, DSI Laura Bartley said: “We recognise that reports of this nature will cause concern in our communities, but our officers are working around the clock and conducting enquiries as part of this live investigation.

“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the victim.”

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“Anyone with information on Anthony Paul Jones or the blue Ford Transit van’s whereabouts, is urged to submit information via the Major Incident Public Portal:https://mipp.police.uk/operation/6126A72-PO1 or contact us quoting log reference 2600255536.

“You can also call us on 101 or direct message us on our Facebook or X social media pages.

“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, with information on 0800 555 111 or visit online.”

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Fire crews say there is a “significant risk” of the blaze spreading

Firefighters are urging people to stay away from a “serious” ongoing fire at Holme Fen in Holme. Fire crews have been tackling the major blaze in the open since Saturday morning (August 8) and say there is a “significant risk” of it spreading.

Firefighters arrived to find a fire “well alight” involving hedges and undergrowth. Crews were at the scene throughout the weekend working to make it safe and bring the fire under control.

More than 80 firefighters were at the scene during its peak, including from neighbouring fire and rescue services. That has now been scaled down to around 20 firefighters. Locals have been told that, due to the weather conditions, they may still see or smell smoke in the area.

In an update shared to Facebook, area commander Simon Thompson said: “Over the last few hours we have had to change our firefighting tactics which has delayed some of the response for us. The reason for that is over the last few hours our firefighters have started experiencing trees falling in and around the area within the forest. So as a matter of safety we are having to bring our firefighters to a point of safety where they can also try and protect the fire.

“There’s still a significant risk that this fire can spread and we are working incredibly hard through the night and into tomorrow [Monday] to try and make sure that this won’t happen. What we would ask at this time is for all people to please stay from the area whether that’s pedestrians who want to come to the area to walk, or other vehicles.

“With 20 appliances on scene and firefighters in the area, the area is unsafe in places and we would not want people to put themselves at risk of any harm. Likewise with 20 appliances there are a number of vehicle movements in the area so the road network is quite busy in the small area.”

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service previously said three are road closures in place at the junction of Hod Fen Drove and Holme Lode, all of Holme Lode and the junction of Long Drove/B660 and New Long Drove. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Officers were on patrol in Trimdon on Saturday (August 8) when a black Keeway 125 came travelling in the opposite direction in convoy with a scooter.

The scooter was being ridden by a male wearing a balaclava while the Keeway was ‘two up with the rider and pillion wearing matching balaclavas.

Neither vehicle was displaying a registration plate. On sighting police, the vehicles split up.

Durham Police said The Keeway was pursued by one of the force’s motorcycle officers before it crashed and the rider was apprehended.

A teenager was arrested after a police chase in Trimdon (Image: DURHAM POLICE)

A 15 year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of numerous offences, including driving without a licence and insurance. 

Checks on the Keeway also found it had been stolen last month in Sunderland.

A teenager was arrested after a police chase in Trimdon (Image: DURHAM POLICE)

Later, the Sur Ron Ultra Bee pictured below was sighted by one of the traffic cars. The rider was also wearing a balaclava and no helmet. 

A teenager was arrested after a police chase in Trimdon (Image: DURHAM POLICE)

A lengthy chase followed before it was successfully stung, and the rider made off into a crop field before abandoning the bike and an escape on foot.

The Sur Ron was brand new, with only 300 miles on the clock. 

Enquiries continue to identify the rider.

Police said a member of the public helped officers with the arrest and would now appreciate him giving them a call on 101, ext. 202960.

Usher dismissed claims that he used a “clone” or body double during a recent concert after footage from a show in New Jersey prompted speculation about whether the performer on stage was really him.

The rumours started after videos filmed at his 7 August performance at MetLife Stadium spread on social media.

“Usher you can’t fool New York, that’s not you bro, I want my money back,” one fan posted on X.

“The Usher clone stuff is hilarious because I was watching someone’s live of the show last night and was thinking during his first set something was off about him,” another said.

“Usher, why’d you have to play us all like that last night? That is NOT Usher,” a third fan wrote on TikTok.

In some of the clips circulating online, Usher’s face is obscured by a hat and sunglasses, which many users say makes him look just different enough to raise eyebrows, with one fan dubbing the alleged double “Unsure”.

The “Yeah!” singer responded directly to the allegations. “Ya’ll are funny,” he said, “clone? They can’t clone this?”

“How ya’ll come up with this? AI ain’t that advanced,” he said in a comment on Power 105.1’s Instagram post debating who was really on stage.

Usher is co-headlining the “Raymond & Brown Tour” alongside Chris Brown. The North American stadium run began on 26 June in Denver and was scheduled to continue through December, with performances in major cities like Detroit, Washington, DC, and Toronto.

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Usher faced similar claims in 2024, when fans questioned whether he had used a body double on stage during the Past Present Future tour, which was delayed after he suffered a neck injury doing rehearsals, forcing him to postpone the first shows in Atlanta.

“My hope was that with physical therapy and medical treatment, I would be able to overcome the injury and be ready for opening night,” he said at the time. “Unfortunately, the injury hasn’t healed yet, and my doctors have instructed me not to perform any shows this week.”

During the Nashville leg of the ongoing tour last month, Usher had to stop a planned onstage serenade after a fan appeared visibly uncomfortable. The segment, a regular feature of his performances, saw the singer paused mid-song and tell the crowd that he didn’t think the fan wanted to be on the stage before she was escorted off.

The incident sparked a debate online, with some criticising the fan for agreeing to go on stage. She later defended herself on social media, saying “nobody is declining to go on stage” and that she had hoped to be brought up by Chris Brown instead.

Degree courses with some of the worst employment records in the country will be trying to scoop up students in Clearing on A-level Results Day this week.

New analysis by the Daily Mail has identified the top 20 course groupings, by university, for graduates being out of work five years after leaving.

The worst one, Creative Arts and Design at the University of West London, had almost a quarter – 23.7 per cent – of graduates out of work, while the median salary for those that did work was just £24,900.

The university is entering courses from this category into Clearing which have historically admitted students with A-level grades of just DDD.

Meanwhile, the second worst in the analysis was Business and Management at the University of East London, with 22.6 per cent out of work.

The top 20, which also included Law and Psychology at other universities, all had at least one in six graduates out of work, while five have median salaries of less than £25,000.

This is despite many graduates having racked up more than £50,000 in debt during their degrees, including three years of tuition fees charged at more than £9,000 annually.

All of the listings in the top 20 are entering Clearing – with the vast majority allowing students entry with a string of C,D and E grades.

Last night, Tory education spokesman Laura Trott said of the Daily Mail’s analysis: ‘Too many young people are leaving university saddled with debt and facing poor job prospects.

‘With youth unemployment rising on Labour’s watch, many will never be able to pay off their loans, taken out to pay for courses that aren’t delivering a return.’

Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, added: ‘A generation of less academically able kids have been led along a pathway to financial and career ruination.

‘They are left with huge and unpayable debts that will have to be picked up by hard working taxpayers.

‘Too many universities have placed their own financial survival above the best interests of young people and of the country.

‘Universities should be excluding most youngsters whose A-Level grades fall below A and B.

‘We need to convert half of universities back into vocationally orientated polytechnics.’

On Thursday, hundreds of thousands of pupils will pick up their A-Level results, with those who fail to make their grades entering Clearing to find an alternative course.

New analysis by the Daily Mail has identified the top 20 course groupings, by university, for graduates being out of work five years after leaving (pictured: the University of West London tops the list)

Included in our top 20 analysis is Computing at London Metropolitan University, which had 19.7 per cent out of work, Law at Middlesex University and Psychology at the University of Greater Manchester, both with 17.3 per cent.

For comparison, Cambridge had no graduates recorded as unemployed for its Veterinary Sciences courses.

Meanwhile, Southampton’s Computing courses had only 2.1 per cent out of work, and Bristol’s Business and Management courses had only 3 per cent.

The Daily Mail’s analysis looked at the Department for Education’s Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data, which is based on tax and benefits records.

It examined employment figures in the year 2023-2024 – the latest available – for those graduating in 2017-2018 from various subjects at individual mainstream universities. Similar subjects were grouped together into course categories.

The Daily Mail ranked categories at different universities according to the proportion of UK graduates who were not in sustained work or further study in 2023/24, with only those with 50 or more graduates included.

This captured those living in the UK who do not have a job, were not studying and were not self-employed, as well as those who may have intermittent but not consistent work.

It comes after the Government announced new vocational routes for 14-year-olds to sit alongside academic subjects, to offer an alternative route for those who are less suited for university.

The Government is also consulting on introducing a minimum requirement of a pass in GCSE English to access student finance.

A Department for Education spokesman said: ‘A university degree remains a worthwhile investment, but too many courses don’t deliver the outcomes promised to students.

‘We are taking action to restore universities as engines of opportunity, aspiration and growth by cracking down on poor quality courses.

‘Going to university isn’t the only route to success which is why we’re putting technical and academic education on an equal footing by announcing plans to provide more, prestigious vocational routes from aged 14 and introducing V Levels from aged 16.’

A University of East London spokesman said it had redesigned its curriculum since 2018, with the more recent Graduate Outcomes Survey – which is self-selecting – showing improvements in outcomes.

They added: ‘There’s a reason the University of East London has achieved the fastest, largest increase in graduate outcomes… This is the multi- award-winning careers-first advantage for the UK’s most socially inclusive student population – graduates going further, faster.’

A London Met spokesman said it had made ‘significant changes in teaching, student support, and employability provision’ since the graduates measured had left in 2018.

They said the same survey shows London Met now ‘leads all London post-92 universities for graduates entering managerial and senior roles’.

A spokesman for London South Bank University said the employment data was not reflective of today’s courses because only some of the subjects included are still running.

A Wolverhampton spokesman said: ‘Creative Arts and Design graduates often pursue portfolio careers, self-employment, freelance work and entrepreneurial opportunities, many of which are not always fully reflected in traditional employment datasets. Graduates may also move between projects, commissions and short-term contracts in the years following graduation as they establish their careers.’

The other universities were contacted by the Daily Mail.

A spokesman for Universities UK, which represents most vice chancellors, said: ‘The evidence is clear that a university degree still pays off in a big way for the large majority of people – and that the Treasury makes a strong return on investing in students.

‘The graduate premium is holding up, despite growth in the minimum wage and the generally poor performance of the economy which has held back wage growth.’