by political editor Paul Francis

Deprivation in many parts of the county is getting worse, according to shock government figures.

And the gap between the most affluent parts of the county in the west and its poorest areas in the east is growing.

The data, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government, shows that deprivation in eight Kent districts has worsened since 2007 and fallen in just four.

Thanet, already the county’s key unemployment blackspot, emerges as Kent’s most deprived area and has seen its ranking nationally drop even further since 2007.

It now ranks as the country’s 49th most deprived area out of 326 authorities - a fall of eleven places compared to similar data published in 2007. That places it as among the top 20 per cent most deprived areas nationally.

Shepway has seen the sharpest increase in poverty over the period, now ranking as the country’s 97th most deprived area. In 2007, it was ranked 114th, a drop of 17 places. Neighbouring Ashford also saw deprivation increase but it was less marked.

Dover also saw a significant rise in deprivation as did Canterbury, which saw its ranking fall by 14 places to become the 166th most deprived area.

The statistics will make alarming reading for those concerned that efforts to stimulate investment and growth in east Kent are stalling as the recession bites.

It also raises questions about the impact of huge amount of public investment in some of Kent’s least well-off areas in recent years.

In contrast, deprivation levels in Sevenoaks have dropped and it now ranks as among the country’s most well-off districts, cementing its reputation as Kent’s most affluent area.

There have also been falls in north Kent, where both Dartford and Gravesham saw improvements, as did Tonbridge and Malling which saw the largest recorded decrease in deprivation of anywhere in the county.

The data is based on a series of indicators, including employment levels, income, education and crime rates as well as access to services and the living environment.

Thanet South MP Laura Sandys (Con) said the Labour government’s policies to tackle deprivation had not worked.

"The last government’s strategy was to focus on deprivation issues and there are many in Thanet but they did not counter-balance that with policies looking at small businesses and enterprise. They crushed job opportunities - we need a balanced set of policies that very much focus on opportunities and the ambition of young people."

The data reinforced calls from many for east Kent to be designated as an enterprise zone and for better transport links.

"We have one of the slowest train services in the country and it is crucial we get these high speed links to Ramsgate without stopping at Ashford," she said.