“The absence of a boost on social minimums is a cold shower,” reacted the president of the Alerte collective, while poverty today affects 9.2 million people in France.
After eight months of successive postponements, the government unveiled, Monday September 18, its new strategy to combat poverty. Lhe announcements, which follow a first plan of 8 billion euros announced in 2018, were particularly awaited by the associations in a context of high inflation. This “solidarity pact” will benefit from a “50% increase in dedicated credits in the fight against poverty compared to the previous strategy”declared Elisabeth Borne.
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“For housing, for health, for access to education or employment, sometimes even for food, poverty is a daily challenge for all those who face it”recognized the Prime Minister, while poverty affects 9.2 million people in France.
In addition to the envelope of 156 million euros already promised by the government to support food aid associations this year, theThe Prime Minister announced that“exceptional aid will be included in the 2024 finance bill to cover the needs of food aid associations”. This support comes as these associations face an explosion in demand linked to inflation.
A return to work bonus
Convinced that “it’s work that allows you to escape poverty”Elisabeth Borne announced “the creation of a return to work bonus” by 2025. On the issue of poor workers, the head of government referred to the social conference on low wages which is to be held in October.
Concerning early childhood and education, the plan presented on Monday also includes several measures already announced in recent months by the government, such as the creation of 200,000 nursery places by 2030 or the establishment of a “colo pass”. ” for CM2 students. It also provides for the strengthening of the “1 euro canteen” system, established since 2019, and the extension of free school breakfasts.
The government also intends to fight against non-take-up of social benefits. From summer 2024, RSA applications will begin to be pre-filled in pilot departments. On the housing side, the 203,000 existing accommodation places “will be maintained in 2024”, announced Elisabeth Borne. The second five-year plan “Housing First”, the objective of which is to support homeless people in finding housing, is also included in this pact.
“Insufficient measures”
“Measures respond to the emergency linked to galloping inflation but we do not see how this strategy will succeed in reducing poverty”commented Noam Leandri, president of the Alerte collective, which brings together 34 associations fighting against poverty. “We think it’s insufficient.”
“The absence of a boost on social minimums is a cold shower”, underlined Noam Leandri. Associations fighting against precariousness are calling in particular for an increase in social minimums, an increase in housing assistance (APL) and the regularization of undocumented workers in sectors in tension, a measure which must appear in the immigration bill that the government will theoretically present it to Parliament at the beginning of November.