The Coalition government's welfare cuts and tax reductions have transferred funds from the poorest to the pockets of the better-off, an academic study reveals.

The reductions in low-income and disability benefits financed tax breaks for the more financially privileged, although the richest were also hit, and this transfer of wealth made no net effect on public funds.

The groups hit hardest are single-parent families, large families, children and middle-aged parents, who make up the poorest 5 per cent of the country.

The most financially-disadvantaged experienced cuts of nearly 3 per cent of what they would have earned if Britain's tax and welfare system of May 2010 was retained.

Those who gain from the changes include couples who both work and those in their 50s and early 60s, with an increase of between 1.2 and 2 per cent in disposable income.

The study's authors, Dr Paola De Agostini and Professor Holly Sutherland from ISER and Professor John Hills from LSE, wrote: "Whether we have all been 'in it together', making equivalent sacrifices through the period of austerity, is a central question in understanding the record of the coalition Government," as reported by The Observer.

The top 5 per cent of the country's highest earners lost one per cent of their potential income, however the reduction in top rate income tax from 50p to 45p meant that the one per cent earning the most also had a small monetary net gain.

What Britain thinks of benefits: perception, reality and winning votes Show all 9 1 /9 What Britain thinks of benefits: perception, reality and winning votes What Britain thinks of benefits: perception, reality and winning votes We think more immigrants claim benefits than they do A YouGov poll for the Sunday Times earlier in January showed that the British public are way off with their estimation of how many immigrants claim jobseekers allowance What Britain thinks of benefits: perception, reality and winning votes Immigration and benefits Three quarters (76%) of us oppose immigrants being allowed benefits in their first year of residency Getty What Britain thinks of benefits: perception, reality and winning votes Two thirds of us don't like the system as it is Two thirds (66%) of us think the benefits system is unfit for purpose.. something the Conservatives have saying since they first unveiled the cuts Getty Images What Britain thinks of benefits: perception, reality and winning votes Benefits Street documentaries don't help Nearly half of us (45%) think people on benefits are portrayed unfairly. In Scotland, 62% think the portrayal of people on benefits is unfair (compared to 45% in the whole of the UK). In London this changes to 40% Channel 4 What Britain thinks of benefits: perception, reality and winning votes Toughen up benefit rules Two-thirds (66%) want tougher rules about who can claim benefits (picture shows James Turner Street in Birmingham, the setting for Channel 4's documentary series 'Benefits Street') Creative Commons/Peter Whatley What Britain thinks of benefits: perception, reality and winning votes We're wrong on benefit fraud According to a study published by Royal Statistical Society and King's College in July, the public think that £24 of every £100 of benefits is fraudulently claimed. Official estimates are that just 70 pence in every £100 is fraudulent - so the public conception is out by a factor of 34 Dan Kitwood/Getty Images What Britain thinks of benefits: perception, reality and winning votes We would prefer to make it harder for immigrants to claim benefits A similar poll by YouGov for the Sunday Times in January showed that support for limiting migrants' benefits was widespread What Britain thinks of benefits: perception, reality and winning votes Poverty and inequality is a big issue for us An Ipsos Mori poll from January showed that poverty and inequality is becoming increasingly important for British people What Britain thinks of benefits: perception, reality and winning votes Benefits is less of an issue than it has been The same Ipsos Mori poll from January showed that pensions/benefits and social security was by far a more pressing issue for other governments, at least by the British public's perception

The Treasury said the changes implemented since 2010 had ensured the richest households had made the biggest contribution to reducing the deficit.

"The Government has published groundbreaking, cumulative distributional analysis with every budget and autumn statement of this parliament," a spokesman said.

"We will go on working through the plan that is securing a resilient economy and a brighter future," they added.

Almost 3,000 people paid more income tax in the current financial year than the poorest nine million, figures obtained from HM Revenue and Customs through a Freedom of Information Act request show.

But shadow chancellor Ed Balls said: "This is a damning analysis of David Cameron and George Osborne's record. It demolishes any last pretence that we are somehow all in this together."