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 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.

2000 French were interviewed by the firm OC & C for the fifth year on their perception of prices in a sixty nine brands owned by different sectors. The survey measures the gap between the actual price of a brand and the idea that consumers will make. Results: advance leaders still considerable. The report found that the French had one very realistic prices. "No wonder. The discount was born in France and consumers are accustomed to comparing prices," said Jean-Daniel Pick, cabinet member.Previous useSuivant Leroy Merlin (52) Next Photo 11/14

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Ben Bernanke on Tuesday reaffirmed the commitment of the U.S. Federal Reserve to do anything to prevent the financial crisis does not penalize the European economy United States, repeating comments made in the Senate Thursday before the House of Representatives.

"We are in regular contact with European authorities and will continue to closely monitor the situation and take all possible measures to protect the U.S. financial system and the economy, "said the Fed chairman, according to the text of a speech for the Budget Committee of the Upper House. 

Ben Bernanke remained cautious citing the economic outlook in the U.S. and did not allude to the release Friday of unemployment to its lowest level in nearly three years.

"We still have a long way to go before we can say that the labor market is behaving normally," he thought, using formulas similar to those of his speech on Thursday.

The three-party coalition government in Greece have agreed on a reduction in public spending of 1.5% of GDP in 2012 and are expected to give an answer to the proposal of credit ; the country's international nancial Monday at noon.

"Political leaders should in principle give an answer tomorrow at noon (the EU) so that it can be presented to the Eurogroup in Brussels," said Panos Beglitis, spokesman for the Socialist Party, Sunday. 

As negotiations dragged on for weeks, Beglitis acknowledged that leaders of the three coalition parties (the Socialist PASOK, New Democracy conservatives and the far-right party LAOS) have still things to negotiate, particularly on labor reform and support for national banks.

"There are two big problems, work and banks, which were left for tomorrow," he acknowledged.

Party leaders will then discuss the plan of the troika (International Monetary Fund, European Commission and European Central Bank) at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Lucas Papadé mos.

"There will be a meeting of political leaders chaired by Papademos tomorrow afternoon," said Beglitis. 

But no work session was not officially scheduled with representatives of the Eurogroup on Monday and everything could happen by teleconference or a face-to face at the last minute.

The chief minister said for his part that the various managers of the government coalition have agreed on a reduction in public spending by an amount equivalent to 1.5% of GDP this year.

This includes measures to reduce salaries and benefits costs to make the Greek economy more competitive, he added. 

He also confirmed the meeting of heads of coalition parties on Monday to conclude negotiations on the second aid package of 130 billion euros to be implemented by the mid-March to avoid a collapse of public accounts.

The two main Greek unions called for a 24-hour strike Tuesday to protest against austerity measures and reforms demanded by international creditors.

"We expect one-day strike on Tuesday," said Ilias Iliopoulos, general secretary of the ADEDY representing public sector employees.

"Despite our sacrifices and despite the recognition that this policy mix is ​​bad, they ask even more austerity," he added. 

ADEDY and its private counterpart, the GSEE, representing about two million workers in Greece, about half of the workforce.

BAROIN OPTIMISTIC

Creditors of Greece had requested a reduction in spending worth one percent of GDP, slightly more than two billion euros for 2012.

The negotiations on the restructuring of the Greek debt held by the private sector rose "relatively well", said his side the French Minister of Economy and Finance, Sunday .

"I think it progresses smoothly on the part of private sector involvement to be made on a voluntary basis," said Baroin under the "Grand Rendez-Vous "Europe 1-Le Parisien-i> Télé. 

"We would not get away from the level at which one must move the Greek debt in 2020, that is to say around 120%," said the French minister. And "it is because we do not withdraw these objectives that the discussions are difficult," he said.

"Anyway, it's later than February 13," continued Baroin.

February 13 is the deadline posed by the euro area to launch the operation, which should bring the Greek debt around 120% of gross domestic product (GDP) to in 2020 against over 160% today.

The private sector should accept a discount of around 70% of its obligations under the exchange program of the Greek debt. This will help to lower than 100 billion euros of debt of Greece.

In exchange for a loan of at least 130 billion euros by 2015, the troika of institutional creditors requires further structural reform and further reforms of austerity authority to clean up its public accounts.

Troika calls including a lowering of wages in companies and supplementary pension, which measures face many political and union resistance.

In the absence of an agreement, Greece is threatened with failure to pay on 20 March, when mature 14.5 billion euros of bonds.

Altran Thursday confirmed a large increase in operating margin for 2011 following growth of 7.2% of its turnover for the year, and said he was "reasonably confident" in 2012 despite ; economic uncertainties. Sales of specialist technology consulting totaled 1,419.5 million euros last year, growing "economy" of 8.1% (on a comparable basis excluding the impact of exchange and changes in working days). The fourth quarter alone, sales of Altran amounted to 370.6 million euros, increasing by 6% and an "economic growth" of 8, 6%. "Despite an uncertain macroeconomic environment, the Group is reasonably confident for 2012," he said in a statement its CEO, Philippe Salle. Philippe Salle had told Reuters in October Altran, a deficit in 2010 would remain negative in 2011 but would profit in 2012. The group will publish its annual results on March 12. Altran has completed action on Wednesday during a 3.801 euros, representing a market capitalization of 550 million.

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.

Vodafone said Tuesday it had revised up slightly its annual forecasts after better than expected interim results, supported by buoyant activity in emerging countries and in northern Europe.

The world of mobile telephony has reported a turnover of 23.5 billion pounds (27.4 billion euros) over the first six months of the year, an increase of 4, 1% and a gross operating income of 7.5 billion (+1.3%).

Analysts polled by Reuters had expected 23.4 billion and 7.4 billion.

The results of the British group were fired by strong growth in India and good performance in Germany and Britain.The activity in Turkey has slowed but remained strong.

However, Vodafone continues to face difficult business conditions in Italy and Spain.

For all of 2011, the group noted the low point of its guidance range of adjusted operating profit, now expects a number between 11.4 and 11.8 billion pounds, against 11-11800000000 previously .

France and Germany put pressure Tuesday on the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou to get an early implementation of the agreement of 26 October on the euro and the Greek debt, he wanted to submit to a referendum.

Following the surprise announcement, the head of the Greek government, which has caused a new storm in the financial markets, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel responded by implicitly rejecting the idea of ​​this consultation.

"This announcement has surprised all of Europe.France wishes to recall that the plan adopted last Thursday by unanimous vote of 17 members of the euro area is the only way to solve the problem of Greek debt, "said Nicolas Sarkozy after a special meeting at the Elysee Palace with Prime Minister Francois Fillon and the ministers concerned.

Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy will meet Wednesday in Cannes, at the G20 summit, for a meeting with European institutions, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and George Papandreou, last minute guest.

It will "examine the conditions under which commitments will be required," said Nicolas Sarkozy.

"I can not exclude (bankruptcy of Greece in the event of" no "in the referendum), but this will depend on how the question will be formulated exactly and what exactly the Greeks will vote," he said.

He said the Greek Prime Minister made his decision without informing his European colleagues and had previously alluded to the idea of ​​the referendum, before abandoning it, and finally to announce without warning.

"Can we in these conditions during the sixth release, the eight billion euros, as we had decided two weeks ago as we do not know if the Greeks are always agree with what has been accepted? "he asked.

The Rugby World Cup ends, after six weeks of competition, during which 20 nations competed in 13 stages. Key figures in images, the economic record of the competition.

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