Europe 1 3:34 p.m., October 17, 2021

Rise in the price of energy, fuel ... the French feel that their purchasing power is eroding.

However, the figures show a 1% increase in their purchasing power.

For Philippe Chalmin, we should not overestimate the effect of this increase in fuels, which only represents a small part of the household budget.

INTERVIEW

While prices at the pump continue to climb, the French are demanding aid from the government, which has announced that it is considering measures.

The economist Philippe Chalmin was the guest of Europe 1 this Sunday noon.

For him, government aid is a symbol because the purchasing power of the French is not really threatened.

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Increase in fuel prices: the executive's tracks to help households

Relativize the decline in purchasing power

A large number of French people complain about the drop in their purchasing power. However, figures from the French Observatory of Economic Conjunctures (OFCE) show an increase in the purchasing power of the French by 1%. How to explain this dichotomy between the feelings of the French and the figures? "We all know what a liter of gasoline, a baguette of bread or a kilo of pasta is worth. But you have to realize that these are very small parts of our total budget. The gasoline budget of the French, it is is 4% of their budget, the maximum. It must be remembered, "analyzes Philippe Chalmin. For him, government aid is above all a symbol. "Maybe we can help out for all those who have to take their car every morning.But please, let's not quibble over things that are still secondary after the storm we've just been through. "

Among the measures that the government could take: tax relief, which is not the best idea according to Philippe Chalmin. "You see what it costs? If we decide to lower the TICPE by 5 cents, that represents a budget of 2.5 billion euros and nothing guarantees that tomorrow, the price of oil will not go up and that the 5 cents will not be totally swallowed, ”explains the economist. "The French must understand that the government is not responsible for the price of oil and natural gas," he explains. According to him, the best solution remains that of the fuel check, which the executive has already chosen in September to help households heat their homes. For Philippe Chalmin, this check couldmoreover be provided by companies to their employees, "precisely targeting people who have to take their car to go to work".