A lower than normal rise in Kent's unemployment may be down to the government's furlough scheme - but claims could shoot up after it ends.

That's the view of Evelyn Cook, deputy CEO of North and West Kent Citizens Advice.

She believes we must focus on those struggling now but not everything will go back to normal after lockdown.

Mrs Cook said the number of people contacting Citizens Advice worried about their incomes has doubled.

This is despite the rise in unemployment slowing from 1,230 unemployment benefits claims in February to 325 claims in March.

A minority of these calls are from people looking after relatives or who are isolated and worried about being put on the £95.85 a week sick pay when they would rather be furloughed.

The majority of these calls are from people inquiring about the furlough scheme, which Mrs Cook believes is helping to slow the unemployment rise for now.

She said: “It is supporting people at the moment but no one knows what will happen in the long term.

“Furloughing does not ensure a job afterwards if companies are not strong enough. There is likely to be a rise in unemployment, especially with the projection that the UK economy could shrink by 35%.

“There will be a great need for debt advice. It will not all just go back to normal.”

She added: "People are just trying to manage their tight budgets for now and we are trying to help them. They are worried about their income and their health and this is everything to them."

She encourages anyone who needs advice to contact them, as their services are still operating from home.

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