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A study by an expert think tank has found that 1.9million people will be worse off by at least £1,000 a year under the new Universal Credit system.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found that millions of families will get less money than if they were claiming under the old system.

While some people can expect to get more cash, experts are warning that the six-in-one benefit “hits the persistently poor the hardest”, the Mirror reports .

Today’s IFS report found both “winners and losers” under UC.

Overall, the think tank said 4.2million adults are set to be at least £100 a year better off under the new system.

(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Meanwhile 4.6million are to be at least £100 a year worse off, once transition payments expire.

Of those, 1.6million are to gain by at least £1,000 a year with 1.9million losing by at least that much.

Yet despite the mixed picture, the long-term losses hit the poorest Brits the hardest, the research warned.

Those in the poorest 10% of the population will be £150 worse off on average than under the old system.

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Margaret Greenwood said: "Universal Credit was supposed to lift people out of poverty.

“But this analysis makes clear that it is hitting the poorest hardest.”

IFS researcher Tom Waters said many of the 1.9million people hit hardest will only lose out temporarily - with their number falling to 1.2 million after eight years.

But he added: “Even when measuring people's incomes over relatively long periods, Universal Credit still hits the persistently poor the hardest on average."

The Mirror is campaigning to halt the rollout of Universal Credit to fix delays and design flaws that have left people facing food banks and destitution.

Tory ministers bowed to pressure and delayed existing benefit claimants’ move to UC until summer 2020.

But existing claimants who have a change in circumstances are moved now - without getting transition payments.

And despite the slowdown, UC claims had soared to 1.8million by March - a rise of 300,000 in just three months.

The biggest losses (of over £1,000) overwhelmingly hit people in just four groups, the IFS found.

Three-quarters of those losing out by at least £1,000 were either the struggling self-employed; couples with one pensioner; some disability benefit claimants; or people with assets over £6,000.

Meanwhile, people in working rented households on means-tested benefits are most likely to gain large amounts.

Experts said the effects of Universal Credit on people with disabilities is particularly significant and complex.

Some will be far better off but some who would have had a “severe disability premium" are worse off by up to £2,230 a year, the IFS said.

(Image: PA)

The IFS briefing was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

Universal Credit replaces six old-style benefits including child tax credit and housing benefit.

After several delays it is expected to be fully rolled out by mid-2024.

A DWP spokeswoman said: “This report wrongly assumes that everyone was claiming their full benefit entitlement under the old system, which they weren’t because the system was overly complex.

“With recent work allowances changes, 2.4 million households will be up to £630 per year better off and people will access around £2.4 billion of previously unclaimed benefits.

“Universal Credit supports people into work and helps them increase their earnings while providing a vital safety net for those who need it, while the old system trapped people on benefits or taxed them punitively for taking on more hours."