One In Three Graduates in Low Skilled Jobs

Figures released today show more than one in three recent graduates are employed in a lower skilled job compared to one in four in 2001, the Guardian has reported.The Labour Market 2012 report published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that nearly 36% of recent graduates are employed in a lower skilled job compared with 26.7% in 2001.Figures at the end of 2011 also revealed that the unemployment rate stood at just under 20% meaning that one in every five new graduates remains out of work. Whilst the Graduate unemployment rate has risen, it remains below the spike that directly followed the bite of the recession.The good news for Graduates in The Labour Force Survey, is that they still retain an advantage over non-graduates in the jobs market with 86% of Graduates in employment compared to 72.3% of non-graduates, and they continued to earn more per hour, regardless of subject area.

Pedigree Pooches Pick P&O Ferries

Hundreds of pampered pooches are making the trip to the world-famous dog competition Crufts with P&O Ferries. The ferry company is ‘leading’ the way when it comes to making sure Northern Ireland’s top contenders arrive bright eyed and bushy tailed for Crufts which is being held at Birmingham NEC from Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th March. Each year P&O Ferries carries more than 1,000 pedigree pooches on its Scottish services to dog shows across the British Isles and more than 2,000 much loved pets also make the trip between Ireland and Britain. Arthur Murphy, Business Development Marketing Manager at P&O Ferries, said: "Every year we carry a wide variety of pets on our Irish sea routes. So whether you are taking a champion dog to Crufts or can’t bear the thought of costly kennels you can always bring your four legged with you on holiday with P&O Ferries."

NIW Fined £500 For Pollution Offence

Northern Ireland Water Ltd (NIW) pleaded guilty and was fined £500 plus court costs of £25 at Craigavon Magistrates' Court for making a polluting discharge to a waterway. On 13 March 2009, a Water Quality Inspector acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency observed a white pollutant discharging from a pipe to the River Bann. Further investigation revealed that the discharge was from an outfall from a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO). The source of the polluting discharge was traced to Foundry Street Sewage Pumping Station (SPS), which is owned and operated by NIW. A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.

(LB/GK)