by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Unemployment has gone up again in Kent and Medway, although some areas saw numbers fall for the first time in months.

The number of people out of work and claiming benefit stood at 35,197 on May 14, a rise of 465 over the previous month. (Apr)

But three areas actually saw numbers fall. In Canterbury, the jobless total fell by 75 to 2,357, with dips of four in Maidstone and seven in Sevenoaks.

As recession continues to ravage the jobs market, there was hope from the latest figures that the full impact in the county may be over, at least for the time being.

The latest figures come after a number of encouraging surveys showing renewed interest in the housing market and more confidence among business people.

In Medway, there was a rise of 212 to 7,020 (4.4 per cent of the workforce), while in the rest of Kent it went up by 253 to 28,177 (3.4 per cent).

The biggest rise among the county’s 12 districts in Dartford, up 105.

Nationally, unemployment rose by 232,000 to 2.26 million (7.2 per cent) in the three months to April.

The claimant count soared by 39,300 to 1.54 million in May, up 726,100 over the year and the highest it has been since July 1997.

Vacancy levels and the number of people in work both fell to record lows.

Claimant count on May 14: Kent and Medway, 35,197 (up 465); Medway, 7,020 (up 212); Rest of Kent, 28,177 (up 253); Ashford, 2,041 (up 16); Canterbury, 2,357 (down 75); Dartford, 2,006 (up 105); Dover, 2,328 (up 17); Gravesham, 2,605 (up 22); Maidstone, 2,409 (down four); Sevenoaks, 1.491 (down seven); Shepway, 2,468 (up 15); Swale, 3,218 (up 61); Thanet, 4,086 (up 28); Tonbridge and Malling, 1,711 (up 51); Tunbridge Wells, 1,457 (up 24).