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Poverty Premium#

See also: teaching-mathematics

Anglicare report - The Poverty Premium - makes a similar point as boots-theory. Other examples: South Australian Council of Social Services (2017)

From a related ABC News report

Low income households face higher living costs than other families because they are financially penalised for being unable to buy groceries in bulk, pay costs annually instead of monthly, or upgrade to a more fuel-efficient car.

In a new report, Poverty Premium: The high cost of poverty in Australia, Anglicare has identified six major areas of the economy where low income households are forced to pay what is essentially a poverty tax.

The areas include: food and groceries, transport, energy, credit and finance, data and communications, and home and car insurance.

"It costs more to be poor," the report says.

"People living on low-incomes often pay more for the same basic goods and essential services than people on higher incomes. There are so many examples," it says.

Math Examples#

Toilet paper#

Quilton white toilet paper, 20 pack Quilton white toilet paper, 6 pack
$11.00 $6.50
$0.31 per 100 pieces $0.60 per 100 pieces

93% poverty premium

Other figures#

From Anglicare report

  • 10 percent more on fuel for less efficient cars
  • 20 percent more on energy
  • 23 percent more on public transport
  • 45 percent more on credit and loans
  • 61 percent more on insurance
  • 93 percent more on groceries
  • 142 percent more on phone data