The Poverty Premium: How being poor costs more

Being poor costs more. Here are four ways in which poor people are disadvantaged in how they consume goods.

As the cost of living crisis takes hold across the UK, many websites, commentators and even politicians are quick to advise on ways in which people can cut costs in order to cope with rising inflation.

Whilst advice to change your kettle, put tin foil behind your radiators and cancelling Netflix subscriptions may work for the more affluent, those on lower incomes are already more than aware that a poverty premium exists.

In this article in The Conversation, University of Bristol Senior Research Fellow Sara Davies outlines some of the ways in which those with the least income in society, often pay more for essential items such as electricity, gas, household appliances and banking.

There are some useful links to research and organisations, including a helpful interactive map that highlights the poverty premium in each of the UK’s constituencies.