“We must protect the French without taking the easy way out. » In an international context marked by the persistence of tensions in the Middle East and lasting pressure on the energy markets, the government unveiled on Thursday May 21 a significant strengthening of its aid system in the face of rising fuel prices. The Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu presented a series of measures intended to support both households and the economic sectors most dependent on oil, while affirming that they wanted to avoid any worsening of the public deficit.
Extended and expanded sectoral aid
The executive has decided to extend until the end of the summer, or even longer depending on how the situation evolves, the measures already in place for the most exposed sectors: fishing, agriculture, road transport and construction. The government is putting an end to the monthly adjustment logic, in order to provide more visibility to the stakeholders concerned. Aid levels remain generally unchanged: around 20 cents per liter for road transport and construction, 30 to 35 cents for fishermen and around 15 cents for farmers. The system is also extended to river transport and the eligibility criteria in construction are relaxed, with a ceiling raised from 20 to 50 employees.
A doubling of aid for “long-distance” workers
The government is also extending the aid of 50 euros intended for low-income workers using their vehicle to work, while increasing it to 100 euros. This applies to employees making long commutes or traveling at least 8,000 kilometers per year. Around three million people are potentially eligible, but applications will only be open from May 27 on the impots.gouv.fr website. Payment will then be made retroactively.
The “employer fuel premium” largely relaxed
Another flagship measure: the extension of the fuel bonus paid by companies. Until now conditioned on the absence of an alternative in public transport, it will now be accessible without this constraint. Its annual ceiling is also doubled, going from 300 to 600 euros, while remaining exempt from social charges and income tax. In practice, the system becomes potentially accessible to all employees, even if its implementation will depend on the choices of employers.
New targeted aid for certain professions
The government says it wants to extend support to several professions. Home helpers will see their mileage allowance increased, which would represent approximately the equivalent of 20 cents per liter, or up to 200 euros per year for the heaviest drivers. A social leasing system for electric vehicles without contribution will also be open to them. Public officials using their personal vehicle will benefit from an increase in their travel allowances between June and the end of December. Substitute teachers, AESH and hospital staff are particularly concerned. From October 1, taxi drivers will benefit from assistance of up to 5,500 euros for the purchase of an electric vehicle, under European production conditions.
No general reduction in fuel taxes
Despite these announcements, the government rules out any overall reduction in fuel taxes. Sébastien Lecornu insisted on a support strategy “targeted and temporary”rejecting a return to policies of large tax cuts. The executive affirms that it wants to adapt the measures according to changes in prices and sectoral needs. A position which is also in line with international recommendations: the International Monetary Fund calls for strictly temporary and targeted responses to the energy crisis. According to the institution, the current trajectory of public finances remains insufficient to bring the deficit below 3% of GDP by 2029, which maintains strong pressure on the French budgetary strategy.
