The security deficit forecast worsens by 7.8 billion euros for 2021

Social Security accounts should show a deficit of 35.7 billion euros in 2021, or 7.8 billion more than the latest forecasts, against the backdrop of the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, said Monday Olivier Dussopt, Minister of Public Accounts at the opening of the re-reading review of the Social Security budget bill for 2021 before the Assembly.

This deterioration is attributable to "

" for 6 billion euros, and "

", he added.

Read also: The Social Security deficit will remain abysmal for many years

The government anticipates a weaker than expected rebound in the economy in 2021, at + 6% against + 8% previously, due in particular to the maintenance of binding health protocols for part of next year.

Olivier Dussopt added, however, that the deficit forecast for 2020 - 49 billion euros - "

".

This new reading is organized following the failure of deputies and senators to agree on a common text in a joint committee.

The Senate will then proceed to a new reading, before the last word returns to the National Assembly on November 30.

The expenses provided for in this budget were increased during the procedure, with in particular a new extension of 800 million euros for 2020, requested by the government in order to cover the expenses related to the increase in PCR tests and the deployment of antigenic tests, as well as to increase the means of establishments and services for the elderly.

The parliamentarians also integrated an additional budget of 2.4 billion for hospitals and salary increases of the "

".

Read also: Covid: the Court of Auditors calls for cutting Social Security spending

The deputies were preparing on Monday to return to a request introduced by the Senate, dominated by the right-wing opposition, to extend working hours in an attempt to balance the pension system.

Olivier Dussopt judged this provision "

", and the Minister of Health Olivier Véran also considered that it "

" in this draft budget.