After the farmers' crisis and in the middle of the winter holidays, Bruno Le Maire announced new savings on Sunday evening.
“Growth is slowing all over the world, particularly in Europe, with a significant growth revision in Great Britain and Germany,” explained the Minister of the Economy on TF1.
And it is slowing down even more in China.
All this has an impact on French growth.
I will therefore revise French growth from 1.4 to 1% in 2024.”
Consequently, this downward revision of growth will require 10 billion euros in additional savings this year to be able to respond to a fairly simple equation: how to respect the public deficit at 4.4% of gross domestic product (GDP). ) in 2024 compared to 4.9% anticipated for 2023 with less tax revenue?
In the event of slippage, the rating agencies could then lower France's rating just before the European elections in March, which would be of the worst kind for the government.
And this is also the message delivered this Monday by Thomas Cazenave, the Minister of Public Accounts on France 2. “The ten billion euros in State savings for this year are likely to convince our partners of the seriousness of our management of public finances and above all of our determination that we do not let them drift.”
- 25% office space
“We are doing everything we can to adapt, we have wasted no time” after noting slowing growth, synonymous with lower revenues, underlined the minister.
“We want to build an exemplary, sober State and I believe that this will be a guarantee of the seriousness and good management of our public finances,” he said.
To achieve this, Thomas Cazenave revealed some ideas with ministries which will have to tighten their belts: a reduction of 750 million euros in State purchases, a reduction in State office space by almost 25 % by 2030, a 20% reduction in travel by public officials next year, in particular for the benefit of “video”, or 700 million euros in savings on personnel expenses next year , for example with “a delay in recruitment over time”.
🔴🗣️ To achieve 10 billion savings, Thomas Cazenave, Minister of Public Accounts, declares that the ministries will "tighten their belts" with in particular -25% of office space, less professional travel or -700 M in expenses of personnel.
#Les4V @T_Cazenave pic.twitter.com/joLvUP3vKQ
— Telematin (@telematin) February 19, 2024
In addition to recruitment, the Minister of Public Accounts also wishes to postpone a certain number of projects such as those supported internationally via public development assistance but also the Personal Training Account (CPF) or even MaPrimeRénov'.
“We are reviewing the budget that we are going to devote to MaPrimeRénov', it will continue to increase but to a lesser extent,” recognizes Thomas Cazenave.
“Firstly because we have to make savings and secondly because Christophe Béchu has undertaken a review of the calculation of the energy performance diagnosis which can change the overall number of homes to be renovated,” he added.
Regarding the CPF, the government member recalls that more than 2 billion euros are devoted to this system.
“We are going to ask those who benefit from it to contribute,” he adds.
It was a decision we made in 2023 and we want to implement it this year.”