- The executive wishes to extend sector-specific aid to businesses heavily exposed to fuel costs, particularly hauliers and fishermen.
- The scheme aimed at high-mileage drivers has only attracted 1.4 million people out of the three million eligible low-income workers.
- The energy voucher will be renewed for an amount of 150 to 270 euros for the benefit of 4.2 million households.
- Maud Bregeon warns of the financial risk that a potential blocking of the budget during parliamentary debates would entail.
Continued support for sensitive professional sectors
The rise in crude oil prices, marked by crossing the $90 a barrel threshold following renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, is causing serious concern among transport and fishing professionals. Faced with the risk of a further sustained rise in prices at the pump, the executive has expressed its intention to safeguard support schemes for the businesses most dependent on fuel. The government wishes to continue sector-specific aid for the hardest-hit businesses, stressed Maud Bregeon, specifying that discussions will be held in the coming days with the relevant stakeholders to define the exact scope and deadline of these targeted measures.
Fuel allowance: take-up remains very partial
On the household side, the results of the support scheme for « high-mileage drivers », introduced last May, remain well below initial forecasts. Intended for low-income workers making long daily commutes to their workplace, this flat-rate allowance of around one hundred euros is struggling to mobilise its potential beneficiaries. Indeed, only 1.4 million French people have claimed the high-mileage driver aid out of the three million eligible people. Despite this low take-up rate, the government rejects the principle of automatic payment and calls on the users concerned to complete the necessary steps on the dedicated platform, the continuation of which is being considered.
Renewal of social aid and budgetary tensions
In terms of social support, the energy voucher will be distributed once again to 4.2 million households, guaranteeing a benefit ranging between 150 and 270 euros depending on income. However, this series of announcements comes within a particularly constrained budgetary equation, marked by zero economic growth in the second quarter. As discussions on financial guidelines are set to intensify from October, the government representative recalled the determination to meet the set targets while warning that a rejection of the budget by the opposition would pose a serious financial risk to the country.
