I see from other comments you're from non-London-area England, so excuse my comment - I was thinking of the US or Australia, where demand for programmers could only be described as "red hot".
I'd advise your unemployed CS grad friends to come over here (Sydney) for a working holiday; they'll get work within days if they have in-demand skills (web/ios/android).
I speak to other humans who have a BSc in CS who are currently unemployed and have been unemployed an extended period.
If you need further clarification I am happy to try and provide it. But if you could tell me exactly what you want to know that would be helpful.