by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Young people are finding it harder than ever to get a job - with the doubling of unemployment among 18 - 24 year olds in the past year.

Recession has taken its toll of this age group, with official figures showing a 103 per cent jobless rise across the county.

Dartford is one of those to see the greatest percentage increase - up 126 per cent. While Gravesham has seen the smallest increase - up 70 per cent.

Sevenoaks saw the greatest rise overall, with 161 per cent.

In a report published today by The Prince’s Trust and ESRC Centre for Giving and Philanthropy, Cass Business School predicts the figures are set to rise, with young people from deprived areas hit hardest.

The Prince’s Trust, which is about to launch its Million Makers campaign to raise thousands of pounds to help young people into jobs across the south east, claims the rise is costing the taxpayer £546,000 a week.

Across Kent

Sevenoaks has seen the biggest percentage increase (161 per cent), followed by Ashford (126 per cent), Dartford (126 per cent), Tonbridge and Malling (124 per cent), Maidstone (120 per cent), and Tunbridge Wells (117 per cent). Rises in other towns are below 100 per cent, with Gravesham seeing the smallest increase (70 per cent), closely followed by Medway (71 per cent), Dover (74 per cent), Thanet (83 per cent), Swale (88 per cent) and Canterbury (90 per cent).

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