Antidepressant use 'has gone up in places where more people have moved on to Universal Credit'
A University of York study is calling on the temporary uplift to Universal Credit to be made permanent.
Last updated 14th May 2021
A new report is warning that antidepressant use is on the increase in areas where people have moved onto Universal Credit.
A University of York study is calling for improvements to be made to better support mental health.
The report's authors say "the findings cannot suggest that Universal Credit alone is the cause of increased antidepressant prescriptions, but say it potentially indicates the increased levels of psychological distress experienced amongst claimants.
"The study analysed data between 2013 and 2020 and found that for every 1 per cent increase in people claiming Universal Credit there is a 5.6% increase in antidepressant prescriptions across Local Authorities in England.
"The study also revealed that rates of claims for Universal Credit are higher in more deprived Local Authority areas."
Lead author, Dr Katie Pybus, Research Fellow from the University of York’s Department of Health Sciences, said: "The findings should highlight to policy makers and those administering the social security system that claimants may be at a time in their lives where they are vulnerable to psychological distress.
"The £20 uplift to Universal Credit should be made permanent as a first step to a longer-term process focused on improving the adequacy and security of social security payments".
Responding to the report, CEO of York Citizen's Advice - Fiona Derbyshire - agreed that the uplift is needed: "We welcome the report. Those of us who give advice on financial matters have always known anecdotally that there's a link with mental health.
"We do projects out of GP surgeries, and we're seeing more evidence that mental health issues, anxiety and stress seem to go hand in hand with financial difficulties.
"It's good to see that articulated clearly, and hopefully it'll lead to some recognition about some of the processes and difficulties with benefits.
"Our national body put a lot of effort into the campaign for the extension of the Universal Credit uplift extension - a lot of our data demonstrates the impact of that. The uncertainty is cruel (the uplift is due to expire in September 2021); it's very difficult for people to live on Universal Credit and manage it.
"We'd wholeheartedly support a permanent uplift to Universal Credit and further reforms afterwards".
In a statement the Department of Work and Pensions told us: "Universal Credit has delivered during the pandemic, as this report acknowledges, providing a vital safety net and in what has been a difficult time for many and we have taken unprecedented action to support families through the financial shocks of the last year.
"And our mental health recovery action plan - backed by £500 million – will ensure we offer the right support over the coming year to help people with a variety of mental health conditions. We would encourage anyone who may be struggling with their mental health to come forward for help.
"Our mental health recovery action plan – backed by £500 million – will ensure we offer the right support over the coming year to help people with a variety of mental health conditions.
"People living with severe mental illness will also benefit from enhanced mental services in the community, backed by £58 million for better, joined up support between primary and secondary care, including specialist mental health staff embedded in primary care: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mental-health-recovery-plan-backed-by-500-million
"The funding will accelerate expansion and transformation of community mental health services, enabling people with severe mental illnesses to access psychological therapies, improved physical health care, employment support, personalised and trauma-informed care, medicines management and support for self-harm.
"Universal Credit has provided a safety net for six million people during the coronavirus pandemic and is helping people back into work through our comprehensive Plan for Jobs. The system is designed to ensure fairness for the taxpayer, while maintaining a genuine welfare safety net for those who need it.
"The Chancellor announced a temporary six-month extension to the £20 per week uplift at the Budget on 3 March.
"Claimants on legacy benefits who apply for Universal Credit should check their eligibility before applying as legacy benefits will end when they submit their claim and they will not be able to return to them in the future.
!The Government has always been clear that the £20 increase was a temporary measure to support households affected by the economic shock of Covid-19 and that decisions on whether to extend support would be made as the economic and health picture became clearer.
"There have been significant positive developments in the public health situation since the increase was first announced with a vaccine rollout now gathering pace.
"It is right that the government should now shift its focus to supporting people back into work and we have a comprehensive Plan for Jobs which the recent Budget builds upon.
"Through our Plan for Jobs, we are spending over £7bn on: Kickstart (£2bn) for 6-month work placements for UC claimants aged 16-24 at risk of unemployment; doubling the number of work coaches (£2.3bn) to provide more intensive support to find a job; and Restart (£2.9bn) which provides 12 months intensive employment support to UC claimants who are unemployed for a year".