Nearly 4 million households spend more than 10% of their income on electricity and gas. An alarming situation that denounces the Energy Ombudsman. That propose candidates to fight against this social evil.

Fuel poverty is worsening in France. This is the alarming compiled by the Energy Ombudsman Tuesday, when publishing its annual report. Objective: that this matter find its way into the presidential campaign.

How many people are affected by fuel poverty?

Are fuel poor people who spend more than 10% of their budget on energy bills. Longer limited to a few hundreds of thousands of homes, fuel poverty has risen sharply in the late 2000s. Today, affecting more than 3.6 million households (14.4%) of households, or 8 million people. Among the most affected households in rural areas to 90% in poorly-insulated homes, old and seldom renovated. Are particularly affected parent households, pensioners with low pensions, minimum incomes, the unemployed and indebted.

What are the causes of this aggravation?

The explanation is sadly commonplace: the economic crisis, which has destroyed jobs, coupled with rising energy prices (25% for gas and 8% for electricity in two years). And the increase is not going to stop. In January, gas prices rose 4%. As for electricity prices, they may increase by 30% by 2016. Energy suppliers, consumer movements, community centers or social action locally elected officials, associations caricatives, all find a strong increase in payment difficulties and requests for rescheduling of outstanding invoices. The Ombudsman, an independent administrative authority which began operations in 2008, saw its number of referrals increase by 14% last year, in 8044. Of this total, the number of cases related to payment difficulties has increased by 80% compared to 2010, and represented over 15% of referrals, with an average debt of 1,900 euros.

Prizes are they not regulated by the government?

If the government can not do much against rising prices, inevitable. Of course, presidential forces, he announced a rate freeze until May. But this position is untenable. Electricity production from nuclear power (supposed to be very cheap) represents only 33% of the final price per kilowatt paid by the consumer. The remainder is the cost of transport (network maintenance and power lines), marketing costs and CSPE (contribution to public service of the electricity used to fund the development of green energy). But the nuclear fleet and the infrastructure is aging, which will force EDF to invest heavily, and if the government wants to continue to develop renewable energies, it will increase the CSPE. Gas prices, however, are calculated using a complex mathematical formula that incorporates the changes in oil prices, soaring past year. Unless you run EDF and GDF, the government can not prevent the rise in energy prices. It has also recently called to order by the State Council.

There does not already taking action against fuel poverty?

If this is so-called social tariffs for electricity and gas that benefit any person to whom the CMU. The reduction represents between 40 and 60% of the annual bill based on household composition, equivalent to 95 euros on average for electricity, and 140 euros for gas. Problem, only 650,000 subscribers to benefit from electricity and 300,000 gas customers, while "approximately 2 million households are entitled to these social tariffs," said Denis Merville, the National Energy Ombudsman. Why such a difference? "The allocation procedures are complex. Social workers often have no knowledge of these existing tariffs, eligible persons often live in dilapidated housing, sometimes without mailbox, "said the mediator. To overcome this failure, the government is to automate this aid on the Base files of social agencies, which will reach one million households in total

What does the Energy Ombudsman?

He defends three measures . Firstly, the establishment of an energy check which may be substituted for social tariffs, and would be distributed on expanded criteria by family allowance funds. He also hopes to open the social tariff for electricity customers alternative operators, while today only EDF and local incumbents can distribute it. Latest proposal: that the winter break cuts (November 1 to March 15) is extended to all consumers – currently, only beneficiaries of the housing solidarity fund (FSL) are concerned, about 300,000 homes – along the lines the truce of evictions. According to the Ombudsman, the cuts have greatly increased, according to his estimates, some 500,000 consumers have been a reduction or suspension of energy supply in 2011.

And candidates and the Elysee?

Nicolas Sarkozy, who recites his campaign proposals according to his media interventions, has not yet expressed on the subject. This will require, for now, just balance of his government on the matter: creation of the social tariff of gas in 2008, upgrading of these rates and broadening the number of beneficiaries, a fund of thermal renovation of housing for insecure households, with 1.35 billion euros, which must separate 300,000 homes by 2017. The Socialist candidate Francois Hollande offers him to adopt a tiered pricing for electricity and gas according to usage (essential, unnecessary), greener and more united, associated with specific mechanisms of long-term for the most precarious and to prohibit the power cuts in winter. As for Bayrou, it is safer. "We must be honest: the energy will cost more and more expensive," says Yann Wehrling, spokesman for the candidate's campaign Modem. "Some households, more affluent, are equipped to cope with this increase. They will have to finance the solidarity with the most vulnerable households, which should expand the number of beneficiaries of social tariffs."

The National Energy Ombudsman

It may be called in case of disputes concerning the enforcement of contracts to supply electricity or natural gas. It also participates in the Energy Info information device, accessible at 0800112112 (toll free from landlines) and www.energie-info.fr

The U.S. labor market continued to recover at a rapid pace in February, confirming the widespread economic recovery in the U.S., which could lead the Federal Reserve ; eral to reduce its support to the business and credit.

The economy created 227,000 non-farm jobs last month, showed the statistics released Friday by the Labor Department, and the unemployment rate remained at its lowest level three years, to 8.3%, despite the return to the labor market of part of those who had given up looking for job.

This is the first time since early 2011 that the new posts remain above 200.000 for three consecutive months, a development that, if confirmed, could be an asset in favor of President Barack Obama during the presidential election in November.

The figures for December and January were also revised upward, from 61,000 in total.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected an average of 210,000 jobs created in February after the figure of 243,000 was originally planned for January.

The last three months, job creation show a monthly average of 245,000.

"I think we'll begin (…) discuss an exit from the Fed's policy of ultra-accommodative faster than expected," said Omer Esiner, responsible for the analysis of Commonwealth Foreign Exchange market, in Washington. 

The New York Stock Exchange opened slightly higher after the release of employment report, while government bonds remained on the downside and the dollar rose against the euro and the yen.

INDUSTRY AND ACTING IN POINTE

The manufacturing sector, which was recorded in January the largest increase its workforce last year (52,000 jobs) remained strong in February with 31,000 designs, focused on the durable goods sector, a tendency to which is added the acceleration of temporary employment (45,200 after 32,100 in January).

In total, private companies have created 233,000 jobs last month while the public sector in 6000 removed. 

But even if the labor market returns to form, its recovery is insufficient to reduce the ranks of the 23.5 million Americans unemployed or involuntary part-time.

The Federal Reserve chairman, Ben Bernanke, ruled last week that the employment situation was "far from normal" and that further improvement required a higher demand for goods and services in the United States.

Conversely, he suggested it would darken the outlook to convince the Fed to initiate a new cycle of purchases of securities markets to lower interest rates, est. 

U.S. figures confirm the date that the United States remains one of the main drivers of global recovery at a time when China's growth is showing signs of deceleration and the area where Euro struggles to extricate from the crisis.

The unemployment rate of Seventeen was 10.7% in January, its highest level since the creation of the single currency.

Conversely, the U.S. unemployment rate fell 0.8 percentage points since August. And economists see it return to below 8% by the election deadline of November, even though the current upturn would result in an increase in the number of unemployed returners.

The participation rate of labor force (the percentage of people of working age who are employed or are seeking), rose last month to 63.9% against 63.7% in January.

The acceleration of new posts is not enough to reduce the long-term unemployment: some 43% of the 12.8 million unemployed Americans are for over six months.

Arkema has revised upwards its long-term EBITDA for 2011 Thursday by announcing an increase of this result and its turnover, thanks to strong contributions from Asia.

In 2011, the French leader of chemistry has produced an EBITDA of 1.034 million, up 28%, giving a margin of 17.5%. Its net profit after minority interests rose 33% to 574 million and its turnover by 21.2% to 5.900 billion.

Arkema offers a dividend of 1.30 euros per share, after a Euro 2010.

Given its performance in 2011, Arkema now aims to achieve in five years an EBITDA of 1,250 million euros, while maintaining its debt ratio to about 40%.

The performance of the first quarter of 2012 should be "real improvement over the fourth quarter of 2011 but below the level of the first quarter of 2011, which was a very high base of comparison e. This recovery should continue in the second quarter of the year, "we read in a statement.

The Chinese government expects economic growth of 7.5% and 4% inflation in 2012, announced Monday Premier Wen Jiabao at the opening of the annual session of the Congress of the People .

The budget deficit is expected him to rise to 800 billion yuan, or 1.5% of gross domestic product.

Growth forecasts are in line with analyst expectations, but Beijing had earlier set a target of 8% annual GDP growth. 

"Our ambition is to promote a continuous and sustained economic development, to preserve price stability and protecting us from the financial risks by keeping the money supply and credit supply at an appropriate level and adopting a cautious and flexible approach, "said Wen in his report to Congress of the People.

The Prime Minister further undertakes to limit real estate speculation and ensure the stability of the yuan. It also promises Beijing's intervention to solve the problem of indebtedness of local governments that many investors consider to be the main concern on the fiscal silent.

The number of ruptures conventional employment contract rose to 289,000 last year, up 13% compared to 2010. Candidates are lining up a pile of resumes by hand at a job fair at the University of Virginia Tech in March 2009.

27,016 ruptures amicably were approved in December, up nearly 4% from the previous month and 13% compared to December 2010, according to the assessment updated in 2011 by DARES (Ministry of Labour ). In total, 288,988 conventional ruptures were registered throughout the year 2011, again a 13% increase over 2010. The rate of inadmissibility and for refusal are on their side remained stable (respectively about 3 and 6%). Since its inception, and nearly 770,000 are conventional ruptures that have been validated.

The bill was rejected UMP to 175 votes against 168. A Mixed Commission will now be convened before a return to both Houses of Parliament. View of the Senate in the Luxembourg Palace

The Senate on Wednesday rejected by 175 votes against 168 the bill UMP to govern the right to strike in the airline, criticized by the unions of Air Staff.

Most PS, CRC (Communist), RDSE (mostly PRG) Ecologist and passed a motion prior procedural motion which amounts to a rejection of the text. The centrist and right UMP voted against.

Filed by a deputy of the Right People, Eric Diard, before movement of airport security officers, PPL already adopted on 25 January by the National Assembly is to implement in the air including the existing and the SNCF RATP. Left and Right have competed strongly in the hemicycle of the Palais du Luxembourg, where the shouts are increasing with the approach of presidential elections.

"The airline industry is highly confrontational: 1131 strikes in the last three years, 63 days last year. This is no longer acceptable. Freedom of strikers must end or beginning of the passengers," insisted the minister Transport, Thierry Mariani. "The sky is open air. You, too, show a little opening and let yourself go with the interests of passengers, not that of a minority of employees," he told Catherine Procaccia (UMP). "Passengers are the cannon fodder of the malfunctioning of social dialogue," exclaimed Louis Negro (UMP).

"You do not have a monopoly on empathy with users stuck in airports. It is always the strikers who are responsible for everything, you never put the responsibility on employers, however, social dialogue takes two, "replied Jean Desessard (Greens)." If employees have to leave it because of the strikes of 1936 and if they do not fly is that they do not have money, you are the emissaries of big business "has swept Borvo Nicole Cohen-Seat, Chair of the group CRC (Communist). "No more business would be immune to similar restrictions to a fundamental right: the right to strike," protested George Labazée (PS). "The goal is to flatter a certain opinion public without worrying about the consequences of employees whose situation is often precarious, "blasted the rapporteur Claude Jeannerot (PS).  

This text requires the strikers, under penalty of law, to declare individually 48 hours before each day of the strike and employers to forecast traffic no later than 24 hours before the disturbance. Employees waiving participation in a strike or deciding to resume their service will also, under penalty of disciplinary action, inform the employer within 24 hours prior to their participation or anticipated recovery. This obligation to inform the employer of a change of mind will also apply to land transport, thereby altering the symbolic law of August 2007, improperly called law on "minimum service".

The airline unions have the four days last week strike demanding the withdrawal of a text for them violates the right to strike. They do not exclude other mobilizations. The PPL is registered emergency, a Mixed Commission (CMP, seven senators, seven MPs) will now be convened before a return to both houses but the Assembly has the last word.

Edison Tuesday reported a gross operating profit (EBITDA) of 1.003 billion euros for 2011, a figure better than expected, while spending a depreciation of 928 million in its annual accounts.

These figures are close to those reported in the night of Monday to Tuesday by Reuters on witness statements from a source close to the second board of the Italian electricity.

Financial analysts had expected an EBITDA of € 910 million, according to Thomson Reuters consensus I / B / E / S.

In 2012, Edison, who suffered a net loss of 871 million euros last year due to depreciation, said he foresaw an EBITDA equivalent to that of 2010, without taking into not account Edipower. 

The margins of Edison in its gas business are under pressure because of long-term contracts that the group has forged a course higher than spot prices.

In early trade on the Milan Stock Exchange, as the Edison yielded 0.3% to 0.8350 euro while the index grouping the European values ​​of utilities lost 0.12 %.

EDF reached an agreement late December to take control of Edison, but at the cost of disposal of Edipower, considered by some analysts as the nugget of the Italian group.

At the Paris Bourse, EDF shares fell by 0.43% to 18.38 euros.

The Finnish group Outokumpu will acquire the division of ThyssenKrupp Stainless, Inoxum for 2.7 billion euros to develop synergies and to defend against competition from Asia. </ P> The agreement will be partly financed by the issuance of one billion euros of new shares and Outokumpu will result in the closure of two smelters and the elimination of 850 jobs in Germany. </ p> Analysts said the merger would enable all European producers of stainless steel to increase their room for maneuver on pricing as the industry is weakened by excess capacity. " / p> Outokumpu will pay one billion euros in cash to ThyssenKrupp and resume at the last 422 million euros of debt.</ P> The German group, whose market share in Europe is estimated between 35 and 40% ceded to pressure from its unions by agreeing to remain a shareholder of discontinued operations ; are: it will hold 29.9% of Outokumpu after the operation. </ p> Action ThyssenKrupp gained 2.4% to 21.6150 euros at 3:40 p.m. GMT the Frankfurt Stock Exchange while the Stoxx European basic resources progressed by 0.2%. In Helsinki, Outokumpu fell at the same time from 11.4% to 6.525 euros. </ P> The IG Metall union, which gave the green light to the operation, a pre specifies that Inoxum plant in Krefeld in North Rhine-Westphalia would be closed by December 31, 2013 and the site of Bochum, located in the same Land, would close the end of 2016. </ p> He said the two groups have obtained the guarantee that no other German production site would be closed before the end of 2015 and that the integration of Inoxum would be no forced departure. </ p> While five years ago in Europe exporting of stainless steel, the increase in production capacity and global competition from Asia and Asia now covers 20% of the needs of the old continent. </ p>

Italy has had to make Friday a record yield of 6.5% at six months in an auction of 10 billion euros in short-term paper, increasing the pressure on the third euro zone economy and new government address the perception in the markets.

The average yield has almost doubled compared to the previous issue of this type in late October (3.5%), indicating that the establishment of a technical executive led by Mario Monti to restore order in the accounts public of the country has not yet stopped the outbreak of its financing costs.

France and Germany called Saturday to the new Greek prime minister the "full implementation and full implementation of all commitments" by his country to emerge from the crisis, according to the Europe Agreement of 27 October.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Lucas Papademos, named Thursday to replace George Papandreou.

"After having congratulated the formation of the new Greek government, they stressed the urgency of implementing full and complete of all commitments, including those contained in the agreement of the summit of the Eurogroup of October 27, "it said in a statement from the Elysee.

"The payment of the next tranche of aid can be made only when a step has been made in this regard," said the French presidency.

Lucas Papademos, former Vice President of the European Central Bank, was sworn in on Friday after a week of tough negotiations between the two major political parties of the country, socialist and conservative.

It must implement drastic austerity measures in a country already plagued by months of recession in order to obtain a new loan of EUR 130 billion to prevent Greece from bankruptcy.

In a letter sent on Friday, Nicolas Sarkozy had assured Lucas Papademos the support of France to carry out the reforms necessary to overcome the crisis in Greece.