The end of the legislative tunnel is in sight: Parliament definitively approved the “emergency” law on purchasing power on Wednesday. The text provides for a battery of measures with a total expenditure of 20,000 million euros that will be complemented by the modified budget project. Overview.
• Revaluation of basic pensions and social benefits
The retirement and disability pensions of the basic schemes will be increased by 4% retroactively to July 1. Combined with that of just over 1% in January, the increase is close to the level of inflation.
Family benefits and social minimums – active solidarity income (RSA), subsidy for disabled adults (AAH) and solidarity subsidy for the elderly (Aspa) – will also be increased by 4%, as well as scholarships on social criteria for students. Some of these benefits had already increased by 1.8% in April. No later than October 1, 2023, the spouse’s income will no longer be counted in the AAH calculation, thus “unmarried.”
• Macron Bonus, employee savings and overtime
The ceiling of the exceptional purchasing power bonus exempt from personal income tax and social security contributions, known as the Macron bonus, is tripled. Companies will be able to pay up to 3,000 euros to their employees (6,000 euros for those with a participation or profit sharing regime). The bond is perpetuated in the private sector, in the form of a “value sharing bond”, only exempt from social security contributions (up to 3,000 euros and 6,000 in the event of a profit sharing agreement).
Companies with less than 50 employees will be able to establish profit-sharing agreements by unilateral decision, which was previously reserved for those with less than 11 employees. Parliamentarians have provided for the possible exceptional release of employee savings until the end of the year within the limit of 10,000 euros. Companies with 20 to 249 employees may see their employer contributions reduced by 50 cents per additional hour worked.
• Independent
A reduction in the contributions of the self-employed is planned, which should allow them to earn 550 euros a year at the level of the minimum wage.
• Rents
The benchmark rental index will increase by 3.5% in July and then remain stuck at this level for a year (2.5% abroad). Personalized housing aid (APL) will increase by 3.5%. Rentals will be prohibited in the case of accommodation with sanitary facilities on the landing or thermal insulation problems, by virtue of a modification of the LFI validated by the Assembly. The increase in business income will be limited to 3.5% for SMEs for one year.
• Termination of contracts
When a contract has been concluded electronically by a consumer, the resolution may be made by this means. The same applies to contracts concluded at a distance or at an agency when the professional offers an offer online. The termination costs of telephone or Internet subscription contracts will be reduced.
• Energy
In the event of a threat to the security of electricity supply, the maximum limit of greenhouse gas emissions from power plants can be increased. This legal framework should allow greater use of coal-fired power plants, such as the one in Saint-Avold (Moselle), which was closed in March. Former laid-off employees can be rehired.
The bill provides exceptions to the Environmental Code for the start-up of the first floating LNG terminal in France, in Le Havre. The maximum volume of nuclear electricity sold at low cost by EDF to its competitors (Arenh) has been set at 120 terawatt hours per year. Power outages in the main dwellings, due to non-payment of bills, can only occur after one month of energy reduction.
• Illegal business practices
The text increases the penalties for deceptive or aggressive business practices. This is especially aimed at the abusive capture of the personal training account (CPF). As for banking incidents, the bank must reimburse the commissions charged for the same operation, beyond those of the first rejection.
• Food coupons
Until December 31, 2023, restaurant vouchers can be used to pay for any food product. In addition, the Government has indicated that the daily limit will go from 19 to 25 euros.
Source: BFM TV
