TY - JOUR T1 - A truth universally acknowledged: moving to Universal Credit leads to large debt and poor mental health JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 577 LP - 577 DO - 10.3399/bjgp18X699977 VL - 68 IS - 677 AU - Elizabeth Walton Y1 - 2018/12/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/68/677/577.abstract N2 - As GPs working or supporting those at the Deep End in Sheffield,1 we are bracing ourselves on behalf of patients for the introduction of Universal Credit over the coming winter. At the most difficult time of the year to be living in poverty, Citizens Advice has told us that the transition will affect 63 000 Sheffield residents.We know, from areas where Universal Credit has already been introduced, that the process is likely to incur delays for claimants, with subsequent increased debt for some of our most vulnerable patients.2 This has been backed up by the National Audit Office, who describe people who ‘… have suffered difficulties and hardship during the rollout of the full service’.3 It also reflects some of our patients’ chaotic experiences who have been part of the early rollout (3000 Sheffield residents). We have heard from a trusted community group that a ‘loan shark’ has already moved in to one estate in the city and is getting ready for new customers … ER -