Unemployment in Kent and Medway has seen one of the biggest rises in recent months.

Figures released today for January show 1,498 people joined the dole queues across the county.

That figure is three times higher than December’s figures - and virtually the same as September, October, November and December combined.

The overall figure on Jobseekers Allowance for the county was pushed up to 37,713, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Maidstone was the worst hit area with 325 more people out of work, taking their overall claimant count to 2,611.

Medway also suffered badly in January, as their jobless total rose by 269, taking their total to 7,416.

In the month when 350 workers lost their jobs in Sheerness after Thamesteel went into administration, Swale saw the next highest leap in their unemployed. Dole queues there went up by 192 to 3,626.

Indeed, no area of Kent was left unscathed by the sharp rise in unemployment – the seventh consecutive monthly increase – with figures up for all regions of the county.

Next worst affected was Dover, where another 134 people found themselves heading to the Job Centre, a total claimant count of 2,735.

Marginally better off were Canterbury and Thanet, whose jobless figures increased by 131 to 2,582 and 130 to 4,897 respectively.

The number on Jobseekers Allowance in Gravesham rose by 114 to 2,843, while Ashford went up by 102 to 2,036.

One of only three areas to see a fall in December, Dartford’s jobless total increased by 97 to 1,974, while Sevenoaks rose by 83 to 1,388.

Slight falls in unemployment last month were reversed in both Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells, who suffered increases of 75 to 1,583 and 53 to 1,189 respectively.

The least affected area by Kent’s sharp rise in those out of work was Shepway, whose claimant count rose by a paltry 25 in comparison, taking its total to 2,833.

Audio: Andrew Aves, of the FSB, talks to Nisha Chopra

Nationally, the jobless numbers also continued to climb, with another 6,900 claiming Jobseekers Allowance, a total of 1.6 million.

The unemployment rate was 8.4%.

Andrew Aves, development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses in Kent and Medway, said said the rise was down to a number of factors: "It’s very much more difficult to reduce your rent your rates and the other overhead costs of running a business therefore staffing is often a major charge to businesses so in order to survive they have to only spend what they're earning."

"Thamesteel will inevitably have a short term effect as far as the FSB is aware there are people interested in acquiring the factory and we hope another buyer is found to create employment back on the island."