Manchester is named one of the top cities in the UK for graduate jobs
Debut Careers, one of the leading resources for graduate careers, has done the maths and uncovered as many 149 roles currently up for grabs in Manchester - ranking it second in the UK.
With the economy suffering, the UK cuts a pretty forlorn figure right now.
But in reality, it’s not all doom and gloom.
A closer look at the data reveals that young people – a group who’ve been hit particularly hard by the pandemic – are actually well placed to get themselves on the career ladder in Manchester.
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Debut Careers, one of the leading resources for graduate roles in the UK, has done the maths and uncovered as many 149 jobs currently up for grabs in the city and surrounding areas.
The stats rank Manchester as the second best spot in the whole country to find a job fresh out of uni.
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According to the study, London appeared to have the most opportunities, whereas Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds all ranked in the top five.
Northern neighbours Liverpool also made the list – along with Sheffield a little further afield.
The full list of the top 10 cities for graduate jobs, according to Debut, is as follows:
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London
Manchester
Birmingham
Bristol
Leeds
Cambridge
Nottingham
Sheffield
Liverpool
Plymouth
A little more good news: Debut has also stated that the number of opportunities are expected to grow further in the coming months – particularly once graduate employers open up their roles for applications in September.
Michele Trusolino, CEO and Founder of Debut Careers commented: “Finding that first job as a student or a graduate has always been daunting.
“We know there are hundreds of graduate schemes, all with differing entry requirements, and employers and opportunities you have probably never even heard of. That’s why we created Debut and helping students remains at the very core of what we do.
“Given the recent uncertainty around COVID-19 and employers cancelling or changing their internships and graduate programmes, we felt more than ever the need to help.
“Our team has been working hard these past two months and we are proud to announce we have just released an upgrade to our architecture that allows Debut to have every single graduate job and internship in the UK on the platform.
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“We are so excited to be able to build something that will truly serve the student and graduates in what is such a difficult time.”
Visit the Debut platform for more information on the study and available roles in Manchester and beyond.
News
Popular pumpkin patch attraction describes ‘catastrophic’ impact of Storm Boelo
Daisy Jackson
Bates Farm, one of the most popular pumpkin patch attractions in the North West, has shared its heartbreak after Storm Boelo forced its closure on the busiest day of the season.
The Warrington-based family farm said the financial impact has been ‘honestly catastrophic’, after they had to cancel all tickets for Sunday.
Sisters Ali and Fiona Wilshaw, who run the farm, said it was simply not safe to allow members of the public onto the farm in the storm, with ‘crazy’ gusts of wind.
They later shared a video that showed their marquee was badly damaged and many footpaths turned to deep mud.
The sisters said they were ‘heartbroken’ to have to close at such a busy time, but stressed to followers that ‘your safety and our integrity will always come first’.
On Saturday, as Storm Austen and Storm Boelo chased each other across the UK, several people shared videos of themselves getting battered by the weather at Bates Farm.
And it’s pretty clear from that why Ali and Fi decided to cancel all tickets and close for the day on Sunday.
They wrote: “We have put in so much love, energy and investment putting on this event at this scale. The cost to cancel and refund everyone today on our busiest day of the season is honestly catastrophic, but business aside, your safety and our integrity will always come first.
“To think last night we were running round Tesco trying to stock up on milk and now we are in the depths of recovering the site to go again tomorrow. All emails and enquiries are being responded to as quickly as possible and we are doing our best to open up more available slots next week.
“We are being tested like never before, but pulling together in true force. Huge shout out to the whole team and Farmer Fi the absolute queen in any crisis.
“Thank you all for your patience and especially thank you to those who have sent such kind words and support, we are so grateful to have customers like you.
“We will be back tomorrow to enjoy the remaining of this tough season, we are putting in so many provisions with wood chip paths, undercover seating and an indoor barn to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Ali & Fi.”
Anyone who had tickets to visit Bates Farm on Sunday will be refunded, and can book in for another date.
Bates Farm has safely reopened its autumnal experience and pumpkin patch today.
‘Violent’ Salford man jailed after raping two women he met on dating apps
Emily Sergeant
A man from Salford who police describe as ‘violent’ has been jailed after raping two women he met on dating apps.
Kenny Cox appeared at Manchester Crown Court for his sentencing last week (23 October) in relation to the rape of two women – one in November 2021 and one in September 2024.
The 46-year-old was arrested on 8 September 2024, charged and then remanded, before standing trial for both rapes in March 2025.
The trial, however, resulted in a hung jury, so a new trial commenced in August 2026, and Cox was then subsequently found guilty of two counts of rape and one of attempted rape.
It comes after, on 7 November 2021, one of the victims met up with Cox after connecting through a dating app. They went to a property in Salford, and after drinking alcohol together, the victim began to feel hazy and described herself as ‘feeling paralysed’ and ‘unable to move’.
It was during this time she was raped by the suspect.
After she was able to move, she left the property in a taxi and subsequently reported the incident to the police.
Cox was arrested on 14 November 2021 and bailed with stringent bail conditions not to contact the victim. But then, on 4 September 2024, he met up with a second victim, again after connecting through a dating app, and they went to a property in Salford where he raped her before she was able to leave and inform police.
Following the trial, Cox has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, with four years on licence.
He was also given an indefinite restraining order against the victims, and is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
“I would firstly like to commend the strength of the victims in this case,” commented Detective Sergeant James Walsh, of GMP’s Salford Criminal Investigation Department. “They have gone through this trial process twice now and each time have has shown incredible courage to ensure Cox was put behind bars.
“He preyed on these women and is an violent, sexual offender.
“I hope this sentence and the subsequent sexual harm prevention order imposed gives the victims a sense of justice to help them try to move forward from this and put Kenny Cox firmly in their past where he belongs.”
The Manc -
20th August 2020 
