Experts writing in the Lancet have found that claiming universal credit (UC) may have led to tens of thousands more people becoming psychologically distressed and depressed.
The study by Liverpool University looked at data provided by 52,000 individuals between 2009 and 2018 and compared the outcomes of those likely to be on UC and those who were not.
They found a 6.6% increase in mental health issues amongst UC claimants compared to non-claimants.
This amounted to an additional 63,674 people experiencing psychological distress, of whom 21,760 were likely to have reached the diagnostic threshold for depression.
The study deliberately excluded people who were unable to work because of a disability.
The study also found that UC did not increase the likelihood of moving into work.
You can read the full details of the study in The Lancet.
