Covid-19, climatic hazards, war in Ukraine… The energy crisis, caused by these upheavals, pierces the wallets of the French. As indicated a report of INSEE published on 19th December, household purchasing power was largely affected by the 18% rise in energy prices between January 2021 and June 2022. If we focus on the rise in fuel prices, retail prices were on average 20% higher for petrol and 24% for diesel compared to their 2020 average. Ditto for heating prices: “+ 37% between January 2021 and June 2022 for gas compared to their 2020 average, + 5% for electricity and + 41% for domestic fuel oil”, underlines INSEE. Continuing, 2023 will also see its share of price increases.
- Gas and electricity: 15% increase
To cope with soaring energy market prices, the government has implemented a “tariff shield” since 2022. This blocking of regulated sales tariffs (TRV) for electricity and gas was extended until June 30 by the 2023 finance law. The increase in regulated sales tariffs for natural gas and electricity will thus be limited to 15% (on January 1 for gas and February 1 for electricity), whereas they would have doubled without public intervention, according to Bercy.
The net cost for the public deficit was initially estimated at 15 billion, before being raised by 6 billion by the government to include new beneficiaries, including “collective housing structures” (Ehpad or barracks for example). On July 1, the Energy Regulatory Commission will then set up a reference price which could serve as a basis for the continuation of the tariff shield.
On the other hand, the MaPrimeRénov’ system will no longer make it possible to subsidize the purchase of gas boilers in 2023, including those with very high energy performance. In addition, the reading of electricity meters becomes chargeable for customers who are not equipped with a Linky meter and who have not sent Enedis a self-reading during the last 12 months. These customers will be charged a fee of 8.48 euros every two months levied by the energy suppliers.
- Petrol: 10 cents more at the pump in early January
As of January 1, the general rebate on fuel at the pump from the State and TotalEnergies is replaced by an indemnity of 100 euros reserved for the 10 million most modest workers (reference annual tax income per unit of less than 14,700 euros) using a car or two-wheeler to go to work. To obtain it, you must apply for it on the site. impots.gouv.fr.
“We will have 10 cents more at the pump in the middle of next week”, warns Saturday, December 31 on franceinfo Francis Pousse, president of service stations and new energies of Mobilians, a professional union which represents 5,800 traditional stations (excluding mass distribution). However, this estimate will depend on the evolution of the price of a barrel of oil and the value of the euro. On the other hand, “the end of the importation of Russian products, refined diesel, which takes effect on January 31 should not penalize us too much”, assures Francis Pousse.
A bonus of 100 euros is also promised to motorists who will start carpooling in 2023, on long journeys as well as on those of daily life (from a certain number of journeys). The amount of the ecological bonus for the purchase of an electric car is increased to 7,000 euros for half of the households, the most modest.
- Food inflation continues
Pasta, oil, chicken… The grocery bill soared in 2022. In November, food inflation reached 12.2% over one year, according to provisional results from INSEE. A price increase twice as high as in June and 24 times higher than a year ago. However, prices could increase further in 2023 at the request of food suppliers and manufacturers in order to cover the increase in production costs. “Rising food and manufactured goods prices will not [devrait] normalize only gradually and remain high in 2023”, anticipated the Banque de France, in its forecasts published in mid-September.
The current rise in food prices is partly “the direct translation of the spectacular surge in the price of agricultural and industrial raw materials”, according to the summary of a Senate report from July. In question, “the economic recovery in 2021”, which saw demand suddenly resume after the confinements, while the supply, disorganized, was not sufficient to meet it. But also “extreme climatic hazards (heat dome in Canada, droughts, late frost, etc.)” which destroyed part of the crops. Finally, the war in Ukraine has reduced the quantities of raw materials available in the world, the two belligerents representing a third of world wheat exports.
- The minimum wage revalued by 1.8%, inflation at 7% in December 2022
The minimum growth wage (Smic) is automatically increased by 1.8% due to the rise in prices. It increases to 1,353 euros net monthly, an increase of 24 euros. Gross, for a full-time 35-hour week, the monthly minimum wage rises to 1,709 euros and the hourly minimum wage to 11.27 euros. In the public service, the salaries of the 410,000 lowest paid agents will also be increased by 1.8% on January 1, 2023. Inflation will peak at 7% over one year in early 2023, said, Thursday 15 December, Insee.
- 12% increase on the Navigo
Finally, the Navigo monthly pass, necessary to travel on public transport in Île-de-France, increases by 12%, to 84.10 euros from January 1, 2023. The cost of the single ticket, it now stands at 2.10 euros, against 1.90 euros previously.
