Unemployment Rates Shift in Kent: Labour’s First Year Progress

Unemployment rates have decreased in most areas of Kent during the first year of the Labour government, although some regions continue to struggle. As of July 2024, the overall unemployment figure in the UK stood at 1.71 million, reflecting a decline of 6,200 from June and a significant drop of 71,500 from the same month last year. Despite this progress, the current count remains 465,500 higher than in March 2020, prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The latest data indicates that as of July, there were 40,040 people unemployed in Kent, a reduction of 1,995 or 4.7 percent compared to the previous year. Notably, the largest decrease in unemployment occurred in the Dover and Deal constituency, which experienced a remarkable drop of 15.2 percent. Other regions showing improvements included East Thanet, with a 9.9 percent decline, and Faversham and Mid Kent, which saw a decrease of 7.3 percent.

In contrast, Tonbridge reported the most significant rise in unemployment benefits claims, increasing by 4.2 percent to 1,370 claimants, marking an addition of 55 individuals since last month. Other constituencies witnessing a rise included Maidstone and Malling, with a 2.1 percent increase, and Gillingham and Rainham, which saw a 0.6 percent uptick. Unemployment levels remained stable in Chatham and Aylesford, while all other areas recorded a decline.

East Thanet currently holds the title for the highest unemployment rate in Kent, with 3,420 individuals claiming unemployment benefits, constituting 5.5 percent of its population. This translates to nearly one in every 18 residents being without work.

Government Response and Future Outlook

These figures were disclosed as the Labour Party celebrated a full year in government. Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged the need for further action to address unemployment challenges. Nationally, the unemployment rate remains at a four-year high of 4.7 percent, a statistic derived from surveys that account for all individuals actively seeking work, regardless of whether they claim benefits. This international standard for measuring unemployment is not as effective for local assessments due to the limited survey sample sizes.

To better gauge local unemployment, authorities often rely on claimant count figures, which include those receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit while actively searching for work. The current unemployment benefits claimant rate has decreased from 4.2 percent when Labour took office to 4.0 percent now, though this method is not infallible for tracking long-term trends due to potential fluctuations in benefit regulations.

In November, the government introduced the Get Britain Working White Paper, a roadmap aimed at achieving an 80 percent employment rate. The latest statistics reveal that the UK employment rate was 75.3 percent for the period between April and June, reflecting a modest increase of 0.3 percent compared to the preceding quarter. The ambitious white paper is underpinned by a £240 million investment, aimed at addressing the underlying causes of unemployment and inactivity.

As the situation continues to evolve, the focus will remain on balancing the recovery from pandemic-related disruptions while striving for sustained employment growth across all regions of Kent.