While the National Assembly has just passed the bill on purchasing power, inflation, estimated at the end of June at 5.8% over one year, complicates the daily lives of many French people, especially in the rural environment. Guylaine Brohan, president of the Rural Families association, returned to these difficulties at the microphone of Europe 1.
“Targeted aid for families in rural areas”
This Saturday, the government announced a boost on fuel with a discount of 30 euro cents per liter at the pump from September. A good initiative for Guylaine Brohan, even if she considers that it is not enough. “For us, the account is not there. Families in rural areas are worried because the cost of fuel has serious consequences on their purchasing power. They need two cars because there is no other options.” To help those concerned, the association is also asking for “targeted aid for families in rural areas”.
Another difficulty raised: the question of heating and fuel oil. “20% of people in rural areas heat with fuel oil, which has increased by 133% in one year. In the bill, there is a first step forward, specific aid to help them, but for the moment we do not ‘have no more information.
The association requests a food check “for 240 euros”
“We must not hide the problem of the transition and also think about the future. We know that oil boilers will disappear quickly and are asking families for help with zero remaining costs. This would make it possible to move towards the transition energy to allow those who wish to change their boilers easily”, suggests Guylaine Brohan.
Third item of expenditure for families: food. “We have a price observatory which has just come out and, by targeting nine fruits and ten vegetables, we have noticed an 11% increase. We are asking for a food voucher to allow families to eat well. It is a question of public health. A check for 240 euros per month would make it possible to go and buy good quality food products”, asks the president of Rural Families.
With 120,000 members, the association especially wants “the government to hear all the families”, insists Guylaine Brohan. “We ask to be received by the government because it is important that it hears the voice of the families to understand what is happening in rural areas,” she concludes.