It shouldn’t cost money to be poor – call for action to tackle the Poverty Premium
The Poverty Premium is the additional cost for essential goods and services accruing to people living in poverty as a result of their low incomes. It is estimated that the average annual Poverty Premium paid by low-income households is £1,280. Assuming that at least three million households are affected by the Poverty Premium, this amounts to a staggering £3.8 billion each year. In combination with stagnant incomes, low wages, falling benefit levels and rising prices, this is an expense that families in poverty cannot afford.
Over the past year, the Iona Community have worked on ‘Closing the Gap in Scotland’ in partnership with Church Action on Poverty, Christian Aid, the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church. The project’s aim was to analyse and develop responses to poverty and in particular to the premiums paid for food, fuel and finance by those who survive on low incomes. The final report draws on their experiences and recommendations.