In the uk around 14 million people in poverty pay extra costs for essentials such as energy, credit and insurance
This is the poverty premium
How much is the poverty premium in your local area?
Type your constituency name into the search icon below or click on the map to find out your local poverty premium
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About fair by design
Fair By Design is dedicated to reshaping essential services such as energy, credit, insurance and how you pay for things so that they don’t cost more if you’re on a low income – also known as the poverty premium. We work with regulators, Government, Parliament and industry to eliminate the poverty premium.
The poverty premium
Essential services like energy, credit, insurance and how you pay for things cost more if you’re on a low income.
Latest Updates
Six months on: Is the FCA’s approach to Premium Finance delivering for the customers who need it most?
Date published: 04/08/26
FCA’s premium finance approach: progress or drift? A blog from Rebecca, our Director.
BBC West Midlands: Families paying extra because of ‘poverty premium’
Date published: 28/07/26
Our research appeared on BBC West Midlands and Midlands Today.
BBC NEWS: Londoners face hidden poverty premium, study says
Date published: 13/07/26
Our latest research on the poverty premium is featured in BBC News Politics London.
Andy Burnham must redress the balance between markets, fairness and poverty
Date published: 30/06/26
Our Director Rebecca Deegan discusses our latest data in an opinion article.
The poverty premium in 2026 – Summary of findings
Date published: 29/06/26
Summary of research commissioned by Fair By Design from the Personal Finance Research Centre.
What being on a low income really feels like: Sam’s reflections on her time as a Fair By Design Lived Experience Panel Member.
Date published: 10/06/26
Read this brilliant blog by Sam on her life and experience as a panel member.
“There is a person at the end of the process.” A joint blog by Barbara Hughes, Financial Conduct Authority, and Charlotte Liddell, a member of Fair By Design’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel.
Date published: 02/06/26
This blog reflects on the FCA internal event ‘Understanding the Power of Lived Experience.’
Our response to the may 2026 energy price cap announcement
Date published: 27/05/26
From 1st July, the energy price cap will rise by £221 (13%).
We respond to the Mills Review into the long-term impact of AI on retail financial services.
Date published: 14/05/26
Our response looks at the risks & opportunities AI presents to the poverty premium.
Fixing the problem
We develop evidenced-based practical solutions that will end the poverty premium.
Real Stories
Our work is led by the voices of those who experience the poverty premium.
Scott’s story: When you’re young they don’t teach you about finances.
Date published: 23/02/26
Listen to this narration of one of Give Me Some Credit stories.
Blog: What Does ‘Lived Experience’ Really Mean? Our Panel’s Perspective
Date published: 29/01/26
A look at how our panel understands and reshapes the meaning of lived experience.
Guest blog: We tell our stories not for pity – but as a demand for change
Date published: 10/03/25
Read Zahida’s blog on what it was like to take part in our credit project.
About the venture fund
The Fair By Design Fund, managed by Ascention Ventures, provides capital to help grow new and scalable ventures to innovate the market. It invests in companies addressing specific aspects of the poverty premium, making markets fairer.