A RADICAL shake-up of the benefit system could affect the more than 12,000 unemployed people in north Kent.

On Friday (July 30) Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith published a report which looks at options for overhauling benefits for the unemployed.

One of the options proposed is scrapping out-of-work benefits and tax credits and replaced them with a single payment.

Mr Duncan Smith said: “We are proposing to change forever how the system works. Not tinkering around the edges but a fundamental change from the top to bottom.”

The latest government figures show 10.3 per cent - 5,920 people - of the working age population in Dartford claim unemployment benefit, while 12.3 per cent - 7,270 - claim in Gravesham.

Public consultation on the plans is open until October. To comment, go to hm-treasury.gov.uk/spend_index.htm