MPs vote to increase pensions and social benefits by 4%

The vote was almost unanimous. The National Assembly voted, Wednesday, July 20, the revaluation of social benefits and retirement pensions by 4%, during the examination in first reading of the bill on purchasing power. Are particularly concerned, in addition to pensions therefore, family allowances and social minima, such as the RSA, the allowance for disabled adults (AAH) and student grants issued on social criteria.

This revaluation will take effect from July 1, 2022, retroactively, without waiting for the annual automatic revaluation date. The majority rapporteur, Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq defended an article that goes “to restore purchasing power to the French this summer” and allows “to anticipate”. For its part, the left alliance Nupes denounced, through the voice of Adrien Quatennens (LFI) and Arthur Delaporte (PS), a revaluation “lower than inflation”. “Jupiter (…) throws from Olympus crumbs to mere mortals”quipped the elected RN Laure Lavalette, denouncing a revaluation “which in no way corresponds to the reality of inflation in our country”. The price increase reached 5.8% in June but could climb to 6.8% over one year in September, according to INSEE.

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In detail, this measure notably concerns retirement and disability pensions under the basic schemes, already automatically increased by 1.1% in January. Also affected by this measure, family allowances and social minima, namely the active solidarity income (RSA), the allowance for disabled adults (AAH), the solidarity allowance for the elderly (Aspa) and scholarships based on criteria social for students. Some of these social benefits had already increased by 1.8% in April.

“The question of wages is your big taboo”

Previously, the deputies voted for an article to encourage the branches to sign agreements on their minimum wage, in order to avoid too crushed grids at the first levels. MoDem Nicolas Turquois touted a “additional tool” with “branch approach”. LFI blasted the measure. This is “the article Pontius Pilate, we wash our hands of it”according to François Ruffin, a “classic to justify inaction” on salary increases.

The RN voted for it even though it’s “terribly minimalist”, “Don’t count on us to leave it at that on wages. The question of salaries is your big taboo”, said Jean-Philippe Tanguy. The vote was almost unanimous. The National Assembly voted, Wednesday, July 20, the revaluation of social benefits and retirement pensions by 4%, during the examination in first reading of the bill on purchasing power. Are particularly concerned, in addition to pensions therefore, family allowances and social minima, such as the RSA, the allowance for disabled adults (AAH) and student grants issued on social criteria.

Read also: Purchasing power: the PCF, EELV and the RN accuse the government of refusing to find a compromise

The day before, on the second day of consideration of the bill, the deputies had voted to continue the “prize Macron”exceptional tax-free and desocialized bonus, as well as the facilitation of profit-sharing schemes in companies, a measure criticized by the New People’s Ecological and Social Union (Nupes) during the review.

The World with AFP

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