China News Service, October 26. According to the European Times, French Prime Minister Castel has officially announced that he will pay 100 Euros of "inflation allowance" to all French people with a "monthly income of less than 2,000 Euros", regardless of their usual days. Whether it is driving or taking other transportation.
Focusing on the recent soaring prices of natural gas, oil and electricity, France is not the only European country to provide financial assistance to deal with the energy crisis.
From Spain to the United Kingdom to Poland, how did these countries do it?
On September 29, 2021, local time, in London, England, people continued to line up to refuel, and many gas stations were already running out of gas.
Spain sets the profit ceiling for power suppliers
Due to its reliance on natural gas for power generation, Spain’s electricity price in early October has soared to a record level of 288 euros per megawatt hour (MWh).
According to Eurostat, the average for the first six months of this year was only 232 euros.
To prevent this energy crisis, the Spanish government decided in July to temporarily reduce the electricity value-added tax from 21% to 10%.
But this soon was not enough to cope with soaring energy prices. Spain decided in mid-September to reduce the special tax on electricity from 5.1% to 0.5% by the end of 2021.
Another noteworthy measure: the profits of certain power suppliers are capped within six months, and the surplus will be redistributed to households.
UK sets up a fund to support low-income families
At the end of September, the British government provided 500 million pounds to local authorities to help the poorest families.
The government has made it clear on its official website that this "family support fund" can be paid in the form of aid for the purchase of food and clothing, and it can also be used to pay energy bills.
According to the British "Guardian" report, this new measure has been treated with cold eyes by the opposition and some charities, who believe that it is just a simple "bandage" and cannot improve the situation for a long time.
Germany slashes fees
In mid-October, the German power grid announced that it would cut energy surcharges in response to rising electricity prices.
According to data from Eurostat, Germany's electricity bill in the first half of 2021 averaged 319 euros per MWh.
Although heating costs have increased by 30% within a year, the German authorities temporarily refused to regulate natural gas prices because the government believes that the crisis is temporary in the first place.
The authorities also have no plans to take any measures to reduce the burden on motorists, who are suffering from similar pressures to French drivers.
On September 29, 2021, local time, in London, England, people continued to line up to refuel, and many gas stations were already running out of gas.
In Poland, one in five households will be compensated
As a major coal consumer for electricity production, Poland is deeply affected by the energy crisis.
Prime Minister Morawiecki announced in mid-October that 330 million euros will be distributed in the form of compensation in 2022.
According to Polish radio reports, this funding can even be increased to 1.1 billion euros if necessary.
The amount of assistance will be up to 241 euros per person per month.
According to the government, "one in five households" will be eligible for the grant between November 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.
In Portugal, 10 Euro cents per liter of gasoline subsidy
The Portuguese government has chosen to offset the increase in fuel prices by providing 10 Euro cents of assistance per liter of gasoline, up to a ceiling of 50 liters per month.
This is an emergency measure, valid from November 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
Prior to this, the government also promised not to increase fuel taxes.
In addition, road transporters and taxi drivers also received special assistance.