France will put all the necessary means on the table to face the health and economic crisis, hammered this Thursday morning the Minister for Public Accounts, Olivier Dussopt.
Invited on Sud Radio, the right-hand man of Bruno Le Maire notably recalled that "
the purchase of vaccines, the vaccination campaign, the tests (which are all free)
" will cost at least 4.3 billion euros to the 'State.
Read also: Criticism rains on vaccine deliveries in Europe
This amount had been recorded in the social security financing bill for 2021, but it could be increased in the future if it turns out to be insufficient.
It is, for the moment, impossible to know if it will have to be reinforced, noted Olivier Dussopt.
This amount includes in particular 1.5 to 2 billion euros for the sole purchase of vaccines.
"
Vaccination remains the best investment
" and justifies this cost, pleaded the minister.
In addition, Bercy is looking at "
how to improve the device of the solidarity fund
", explained Olivier Dussopt.
Expensive, the latter makes it possible to bring fresh air to companies suffering from the crisis.
It symbolizes the "
will to respond whatever the cost and as long as necessary
" to the effects of the epidemic, according to the minister.
Announcements are expected this Thursday evening by professionals, on the occasion of Jean Castex's press conference, at 6 p.m.
Once the crisis is over, however, this aid will have to be disconnected: "
the level of spending cannot be eternal
", the minister justified.
But the debt generated by the Covid will not be paid by an increase in taxes: this solution, favored after the shocks of 2008 and 2012, is not the right one, because it “
slowed down growth
” in the past.
Instead, the executive is counting on a rapid return to growth to put the public accounts back on track.
The situation is returning to normal at the Franco-British border
Asked about the consequences of Brexit, the minister explained that “
things are going well
” at the Franco-British border.
"
We are gradually returning to the level of traffic before
": while traffic peaked at 1,500 trucks per day so far, 4,000 trucks crossed the border on Wednesday, a figure close to 5,000 to 6,000 vehicles counted every day in normal times .
“
One in five trucks
” crossing the border is subject to extensive control, whether it is document control or cargo control, he added.
But, overall, the customs services were ready to manage Brexit, greeted the minister.
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