Inflation is still running rampant, particularly in food prices. This is why, after the start of a controversy over the planned end of the possibility of paying for everyday groceries with meal vouchers, the government is reversing the decision. After Olivia Grégoire who announced the extension of the system in 2024, Bruno Le Maire goes further and plans, on Wednesday, its perpetuation.
“Beyond the extension for one year” of this exceptional use, announced Tuesday by the government, “I am ready for us to open the discussion on the more general use of these tickets to buy food”, declared the minister on Europe 1 and CNews.
Anger of restaurateurs
An idea launched at the risk of making restaurateurs, losers in this affair, cringe. “A certain number of our fellow citizens are in difficulty with food,” underlines the Minister of Agriculture Marc Fesneau on France Inforecalling that “during the Covid-19 crisis, we have helped restaurateurs a lot so everyone must do their part”.
Despite a slowdown in inflation on food products in October, it nevertheless stands at 7.8% over one year. “Inflation is falling sharply” and “we have emerged from the inflationary crisis”, assured Tuesday the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire before the Senate Economic Affairs Committee. “However, the increase in food prices remains very penalizing for millions of our compatriots,” he stressed.