Starting February 1, 2025, electricity bills in France will decrease by 15% for about 25 million households. Meanwhile, the Livret A interest rate will drop to 2.4%, promoting social housing, while the Livret d’Épargne Populaire rate increases to 3.5%. Highway tolls will rise by 0.9%, and tobacco prices will increase as part of anti-smoking measures. Additionally, new EU regulations on artificial intelligence will be implemented, and certain TV channels will be removed from TNT.
Starting February 1, 2025, millions of residents in France can look forward to a significant reduction in their electricity bills. However, this good news comes alongside some less favorable changes, including increased costs for using French highways and purchasing tobacco products. Additionally, the Livret A interest rate, which saw a rise in 2023, will decrease from 3% to 2.4% at the beginning of the year.
Reduction in Electricity Prices
The government has confirmed that household electricity costs are set to drop. Initially projected at a 14% decrease, the final adjustment will see prices lowered by 15% starting February 1 for nearly 25 million households. This reduction will impact all residential and professional subscribers who benefit from regulated or indexed rates.
Changes to Livret A and LEP Rates
Despite an increase in 2023 from 2% to 3%, the Livret A rate will be adjusted down to 2.4% on February 1. Economy Minister Éric Lombard noted that this adjustment is beneficial for housing, as it aims to promote the construction of social housing, a key priority for the government. The Bank of France emphasized that this new Livret A rate will enhance the ongoing revitalization of financing for social housing and local authorities.
On the other hand, the rate for the Livret d’Épargne Populaire (LEP), designed for those with modest incomes, will rise to 3.5%. This account, which has an income ceiling, allows individuals to save while protecting their purchasing power, as stated by government officials.
Increases in Toll and Tobacco Prices
In terms of transportation costs, highway tolls will see an average increase of 0.9% on February 1. This adjustment marks the lowest rise since 2021 and is significantly less than the inflation rate, which stands at 1.1% for the period from October 2023 to October 2024, according to the Ministry of Transport.
Additionally, tobacco prices are also on the rise. As part of the government’s ongoing anti-smoking initiatives, certain cigarette brands will see price hikes. Packs of Dunhill red, Bastos red, and Gauloises blondes blue will increase by 30 and 20 cents respectively, while the price of Fleur du Pays 1937 rolling tobacco (30g) will rise by 10 cents.
New Regulations and Broadcasting Reforms
In terms of technological advancements, the site info.gouv.fr has announced that new European regulations on artificial intelligence will take effect next week, prohibiting AI systems that pose “unacceptable risks,” such as “unconscious manipulation” or “social scoring.” These regulations aim to uphold European fundamental norms and values.
Lastly, beginning at the end of February 2025, the Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication (Arcom) will remove channels C8 and NRJ 12 from TNT. This change is part of a frequency redistribution that has resulted in new agreements with other channels, which will utilize these frequencies until 2035. Among the new channels are Ouest-France TV and CMI TV.