what hides the 2.5 billion euros of “potential cash surplus”?

The finance law will pass through the National Assembly in September. “Savings” will be the watchword and on this subject, and we learn a little more every day.

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Ministry of Economy and Finance in Paris.  (ERIC PIERMONT / AFP)

After the credits granted to the various ministries scrutinized, Bercy is now interested in the various operators who act on behalf of the State. These operators include Pôle Emploi, the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), theEnvironment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe) or the Quai Branly Museum. In total, about twenty structures are identified in this document called “review of public expenditure”, presented Monday, July 24.

>> State operators: from 2024, the State will recover “half of the 2.5 billion euros in excess cash”, announces Bruno Le Maire

The administration identifies 2.5 billion euros of what it coyly calls “potential cash surplus“. It’s all in the words: by “surplus“, hear “nice leeway“; “Potential“: in which you can puncture without difficulty. With this “potential cash surplus“, these rather well-managed entities benefit from large public subsidies or earmarked taxes (nearly 57 billion euros in total) and will therefore contribute to the recovery of the indebted France house to the tune of more than 3,000 billion euros.

Schedule to be specified

The 2024 finance law will make it possible to adjust the direct and indirect financing of the State to the operators in question to reduce their famous surpluses. But other sources of savings are listed. Examples: the reduced rates enjoyed by professionals in the construction and public works sector, agriculture and the transport of goods should gradually disappear from next year. The report also suggests removing the 10% VAT rate on home improvement work other than energy renovation; also planned end of local tax exemptions favorable to the artificialization of soils.

At the start of the school year in September, the reception reserved by parliamentarians is likely to be stormy. At the Palais Bourbon, the government only has a relative majority, and we remember the necessary recourse to a series of articles 49.3 to push through this year’s budget. As for the schedule of savings suggested by the administration, everything remains to be clarified. The Ministry of Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire, undertakes to support the operators affected by the planned budget cuts. Will this be enough to calm the troops?


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