Benefits claimants in Kent have gone up by more than 7,000 in just 12 months.

According to figures released today, 32,130 people in the county are receiving financial support from the government, which is 950 more than the previous month.

The figures for January show every area had an increase in benefits claims compared to the previous month.

And this is the 18th month in a row in which overall benefits claims have gone up in Kent.

Medway had the largest increase, with 195 more people than the previous month. The unitary authority has also seen a 1,390 increase in benefits claimants since January 2019.

The Towns remain the area with the largest number of benefits claims - 5,685 in January.

Maidstone also saw a large rise, with 100 more people applying to claim since December and rise of 880 since January last year.

However, Dover has seen very little change as there have been only 35 new claimants since last month and 65 more when compared to January last year.

Jo James, chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said these trends are to do with seasonal changes, store closures and business uncertainty in the midst of Brexit.

As workers leave their Christmas temporary jobs over December, some of them would have returned to being unemployed, explaining last month's rapid increase in claims.

But over the last few years, store closures such as Debenhams and Bonmarché have meant many have lost their jobs, which will have impacted Kent's figures.

The chief executive also believes businesses are looking to safeguard themselves from whatever the impact of Brexit will be. She says uncertainty has pushed them to cut costs and employ less staff.

Mrs James said: "Kent has a very large entrepreneurial business community. This means they will adapt, adjust and look for opportunities as they arise. But they cannot do this when they don't know what is going to happen.

"Many would have thought business would feel more certainty after January 31. But really it was a non-event for businesses as the trade agreement at the end of the year is what will remove their uncertainty - whatever way it goes."

There are a number of reasons why claims go up or down and the office of National Statistics, says the slow introduction of universal credit has had an impact on numbers.

A spokesman said: "Under universal credit, a broader span of claimants are required to look for work than under jobseeker's allowance.

"As universal credit full service is rolled out in particular areas, the number of people recorded as being on the claimant count is therefore likely to rise."

To read more about the benefits figures from the beginning of 2019, click here

To find out more about benefits figures from the end of 2019, click here

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