Gas, telecommuting, tobacco, Netflix, restaurant vouchers: what will change on September 1 – France Bleu

Goodbye summer and hello back to school! This September 1, many changes will take place in different areas of our daily lives. New increase in regulated gas prices, changes in teleworking rules, the drop in the price of certain brands of cigarettes or the extension of the doubling of the daily ceiling for restaurant vouchers. France Bleu takes stock.

New increase in gas prices

On September 1, the regulated sales tariff (TRV) for natural gas sold by Engie will increase by 8.7% (i.e. 7.9% including tax). A new increase which is in line with the trend of recent months. This represents + 2.7% for customers using gas for cooking, + 5.5% for those who have dual use, cooking and hot water, and + 9% for gas-heated homes, according to a press release from the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Since January 1, 2019, the regulated tariffs for the sale of gas HT of Engie grew by 15.8%, and of 16.7% since January 1, 2015. They had experienced a period of decline during the crisis. This increase is partly explained by the post-Covid economic recovery as well as by the sharp increase in gas prices on the world market with Asian prices continuously rising, European storage levels at their lowest for years and to be restored. quickly for winter and infrastructure maintenance problems (Nord Stream, Yamal).

Decrease in the price of certain brands of cigarettes

This is rather unusual given a context of steady increases in recent years, but the price of a packet of some brands of cigarettes will drop slightly. This reduction will be of the order of 10 cents for a pack of 20 cigarettes, in particular for the blue and red Lucky Strikes, the blue Gauloises Blondes and the red News. From September 1, the package will cost 9.90 euros instead of 10. Certain packages will see a reduction of 20 cents, such as the Camel Filters and Essentials, which will now be sold for 10 euros instead of 10.20 euros.

Decrease in partial unemployment benefit

From September 1, the rules for partial unemployment will undergo a new development. For employees of companies in the economic sectors most affected by the impact of the health crisis, the compensation drops to 60% of gross compensation (72% net). For companies still affected by activity restrictions and whose turnover is impacted, this decrease will only occur on November 1.

This Monday, August 30, Bruno Le Maire has confirmed the end of “whatever the cost” on September 1st, except overseas. Public aid schemes are abolished. State support will henceforth be reserved for sectors or regions still subject to health restrictions and still experiencing structural difficulties.

This concerns the increased level of partial unemployment benefit for the sectors most affected by the crisis, as well as social security contributions exemptions or reductions for SMEs and the self-employed. Action plans will be deployed for the sectors in greatest difficulty, he promised.

The solidarity fund will be abolished on September 30. It will be replaced from October 1 by a supported from “fixed costs” targeted on sectors whose activity is still penalized by health restrictions. The measure, so far limited to companies with more than one million euros in turnover, will be generalized.

Entry into force of the teleworking agreement for civil servants

From 1 September, the agreement relating to the implementation of teleworking in the public service comes into force. A lump sum compensation for costs up to a maximum of 220 euros per year is now available for civil servants. This measure should make it possible to compensate certain expenses related to teleworking such as internet connection, electricity, heating, etc.

This compensation will represent 2.5 euros per day of teleworking and will be paid quarterly. The first payment should take place at the beginning of the year 2022 for the teleworking days between September 1 and December 31, 2021.

Extension of the doubling of the ceiling for meal vouchers

the doubling of the daily ceiling for meal vouchers is extended by six months as of September 1. This measure was taken by the government in order to continue to support the catering sector, affected by the health crisis. It is therefore possible to use the equivalent of 38 euros per day against 19 euros in restaurants.

Restaurant vouchers can therefore be used during the week as well as at weekends and on public holidays in restaurants. However, the limit is still 19 euros for food stores.

Netflix monthly subscription increase

From September 1, subscribers to the video streaming platform Netflix will experience an increase in prices. Those who subscribe to the essential formula for a screen will have to pay 8.99 euros per month, against 7.99 euros. The standard formula for two screens goes from 11.99 euros to 13.49 euros per month. Finally, subscribers to the premium formula, up to four screens simultaneously, will now pay 17.99 euros instead of 15.99 euros per month.

End of the cost of transport to a vaccination center

Coverage of transport costs for people who cannot travel alone to an anti-Covid vaccination center ends on September 1. Until now, these costs were reimbursed with a prescription issued by a doctor. People wishing to go to the vaccination center will have to do so at their own expense.

Launch of the passport for young people aged 6 to 17

A new state aid will see the light of day on September 1. Families of children aged 6 to 17 will be able to pay less for a license in a sports club. The allowance is 50 euros per child. The families concerned received a letter during the month of August. In total, 5.4 million children are affected in France.