Thousands out of work in 'spiral of entrenched poverty'

MORE than one fifth of Kent's working-age population are currently economically inactive, according to a new council report.

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The report, which was discussed by Kent County Council's growth, economic development, and communities cabinet committee at its meeting on Tuesday (July 1), noted that 204,000 working-age people in Kent - 21 per cent of the total - are considered economically inactive, and of those around 55,000 are out of work due to long-term health conditions.

Young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs) account for 1,672 of the total.

In Kent 7.2 per cent of the working-age cohort have no qualifications at all.

Contributing factors include long-term sickness and disability, low levels of educational attainment, caring duties, access to secure and quality work, and mismatches between vacancies and suitable skill sets.

If Medway is included in the headline figure, the total rises from 204,000 to 235,000.