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More than three quarters of benefit claimants who've been forced onto Universal Credit struggle with bills, a damning study for the government has revealed.

The survey shows 78% of people shunted from Tax Credits to Universal Credit due to a "change in circumstances" had financial difficulties at least some of the time.

HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) commissioned the study of 1,004 claimants and it was finished in November 2017.

It was carried out between October 2016 and July 2017 - since when several improvements have been made to UC.

Yet it was only slipped onto the government's website today.

It showed a quarter (25%) said they were having "real financial problems" and falling behind with many bills, while 13% said they were falling behind with some bills.

A further 13% said they were keeping up but it was a "constant struggle", and 27% said they were keeping up but it was a struggle "from time to time".

(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Just 21% said they were keeping up without any difficulties.

And the 62% of those in the worst financial difficulty said their problems started around the time they were moved onto Universal Credit.

Mind charity officer Ayaz Manji said: "This study shows that the stress of moving to Universal Credit is affecting thousands of people with mental health problems, with too many losing out under the new benefit.

"It’s not right that they’re left in a situation where they are thrown into debt and struggling to keep up with rent and bills."

Despite the research dating to 2017, he added, "we know the situation for many people with mental health problems on Universal Credit isn’t improving.

"The Government needs to urgently take action to make sure no one moving to Universal Credit is worse off as a result.”

The research applied specifically to Tax Credit claimants who were moved to UC due to a "change of circumstances", which can include moving home or a child turning five.

This is known as "natural migration".

More than 250,000 Tax Credit claimants have moved across in this way despite the government delaying the move for other existing claimants until 2020, when transition payments will be in place.

(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has insisted it is improving UC.

People now face a wait of five weeks not six for their first payment, higher advance loans and "run-on" payments which continue some benefits for two weeks.

But Frank Field, chairman of the Commons Work and Pensions Committee, said "mega debts" from Universal Credit were "threatening people's existence".

And he called for "natural migration" to be halted.

Margaret Greenwood, Labour ’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said: "It is shameful that the Government’s own survey should find that nearly eight out of ten of those moving from Tax Credits to Universal Credit are struggling with their bills.

“Why has the Government only published these findings now, if the research was conducted between October 2016 and July 2017?

“Universal Credit should be helping people out of poverty; instead it is pushing many people into debt and towards food banks.

“The Government must take notice of its own research and stop Universal Credit as a matter of urgency before more people are pushed into poverty.”

An HMRC source said: “HMRC has not published this information until now because publication when ready would have coincided with the tax credits renewal period last year.”

A government spokesman said: “This study shows that understanding of Universal Credit continues to rise. Satisfaction levels are high and people are being helped into work quicker.

“With Universal Credit, no one has to wait five weeks to be paid. Your first payment - an advance - is available on day one. We’ve extended the period that this can be paid back and safeguards are in place to ensure repayments are affordable.”