Overall, 3.6% of those living in Kent and Medway are out of work. That compares with the national unemployment rate for the three months to March rising to 4.3% - up from 4.2% in the previous three months.

The majority of districts saw a modest decline in the jobless numbers, although there were modest rises in Ashford, Dartford, Gravesham, Maidstone and Medway.

Thanet remains the area with the highest rate, at 5.6%, followed by Gravesham (4.5%), Folkestone & Hythe (4.2%) and Dover and Medway (both 4%).

The lowest rates remain in the west Kent areas of Sevenoaks (2.1%), Tonbridge & Malling (2.3%) and Tunbridge Wells (2.4%).

Nationally, the figures also showed regular average earnings growth remaining unchanged at 6% in the three months to March.

Liz McKeown, ONS director of economic statistics, said: “We continue to see tentative signs that the jobs market is cooling, with both employment from our household survey and the number of workers on payroll showing falls in the latest periods.

“At the same time, the steady decline in the number of job vacancies has continued for a 22nd consecutive month, although numbers remain above pre-pandemic levels.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “This is the 10th month in a row that wages have risen faster than inflation which will help with the cost of living pressures on families.

“And while we are dealing with some challenges in our labour supply, including pandemic impacts, as our reforms on childcare, pensions tax reform and welfare come online I am confident we will start to increase the number of people in work."