Universal Credit rollout sees huge spike in mental health problems
THE rollout of Universal Credit has seen a huge spike in mental health problems, new research shows.
A five-year-long look at the changes to the benefits system has shown to be linked with a six per cent increase in the chances of psychological distress compared to those who were in a job, the Lancet Public Health journal found.
A third of those involved may have become clinically depressed, it warned.
The flagship six-in-one system, which was launched in 2013, aimed to simplify the system, but it has been beset by problems and is years behind schedule.
Dr Sophie Wickham from the University of Liverpool, UK, who led the research, warned this could have a huge knock-on effect on the health service.
She said: “Our study supports growing calls for Universal Credit to be fundamentally modified to reduce these mental health harms.
"So far, the government has only looked at the impact of Universal Credit on the labour market, and there are no plans to assess its effect on health and wellbeing.
"With a further 5.5 million recipients of existing benefits expected to claim Universal Credit over the next few years, this expanding group may exacerbate pressures on already stretched mental health and social care services."
And Ayaz Manji, Senior Policy and Campaigns Officer at Mind, said: "It’s wrong that the benefits system, which should support all of us who need it, is causing psychological distress among people who need support.
"We need to see radical solutions to ensure that the benefits system plays its part in helping people stay well."
Labour's shadow employment minister Mike Amebury said the system was deeply flawed.
He added: "Universal Credit is not working. Our social security system should have dignity and security at its heart and be there for any one of us when we need it."
The Sun wants to Make Universal Credit Work
UNIVERSAL Credit replaces six benefits with a single monthly payment.
One million people are already receiving it and by the time the system is fully rolled out in 2023, nearly 7 million will be on it.
But there are big problems with the flagship new system - it takes 5 weeks to get the first payment and it could leave some families worse off by thousands of pounds a year.
And while working families can claim back up to 85 per cent of their childcare costs, they must find the money to pay for childcare upfront - we’ve heard of families waiting up to 6 months for the money.
Working parents across the country told us they’ve been unable to take on more hours - or have even turned down better paid jobs or more hours because of the amount they get their benefits cut.
It’s time to Make Universal Credit work. We want the Government to:
- Get paid faster: The Government must slash the time Brits wait for their first Universal Credit payments from five to two weeks, helping stop 7 million from being pushed into debt.
- Keep more of what you earn:The work allowance should be increased and the taper rate should be slashed from 63p to 50p, helping at least 4 million families.
- Don’t get punished for having a family: Parents should get the 85 per cent of the money they can claim for childcare upfront instead of being paid in arrears.
Together, these changes will help Make Universal Credit Work.
Join our or email U[email protected] to share your story.
The landmark study is the first to look at the impact of Universal Credit on mental health.
It looked at data from nearly 200,000 interviews with 52,000 people of working age.
As part of The Sun's Make Universal Credit Work campaign we have told how single parents have been left in tears over the five week wait.
One dad who was drowning in debt even took his own life after struggling on the benefits system.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
A DWP spokesperson said of the report: "This research does not prove that people are experiencing distress due to the design of Universal Credit.
"People coming to the jobcentre are often doing so at a difficult time in their lives, and there is a range of support available for those with mental health conditions.
"We know that the vast majority of people on Universal Credit are satisfied with their experience."
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet, it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun has launched the You're Not Alone campaign. To remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there's nowhere left to turn, that there is hope.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others. You're Not Alone.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123