To reduce public spending, the government can no longer retreat. Presented on April 26 next to the Council of Ministers, the stability program sent to the European Union should reaffirm the objective of reducing the deficit to 3% of GDP in 2027. However, this was still more than 150 billion euros. euros in 2022, and the government has already significantly increased certain key budgets such as those for justice and defence.
So you have to find where to save money. While Bercy sifts through the effectiveness of each euro spent, Elisabeth Borne was to send ministers a framework letter this week inviting them to identify possible savings within their scope. Objective: a 5% reduction in expenditure.
Where to save?
The avenues explored will be shared during the public expenditure meetings that will take place ” before summer “, confirmed Thursday, April 13 the Minister of Public Accounts Gabriel Attal. “End of May, beginning of June”, we say in Bercy. All the reflection will then make it possible to build the 2024 budget, presented in the fall.
But where to save? In terms of operating expenses, a lot has been done. It becomes difficult to reduce the number of civil servants or to constrain their remuneration. In 2022, due to a lack of attractiveness, the State has also failed to fill all the necessary positions with a shortage of 6,600 civil servants, particularly in the army and education.
If Gabriel Attal announces “a comprehensive plan that will tackle tax, social and customs fraud”, Bercy is careful not to put forward avenues for savings first.
Consult citizens on their priorities
Experts suggest cutting housing policy – which costs a total of 37 billion euros – or simplifying business aid (150 billion). Too costly, certain tax cuts, such as those envisaged on inheritance tax, could still be postponed.
It would also be possible to target “brown” expenditure, ie aid for fossil fuels. But it is attacking motorists, truckers, fishermen, taxis… highly sensitive areas in the midst of a social crisis.
Hence the idea of consulting citizens on their priorities for public spending. “It is the money of the French: it is therefore important to have their opinion on their prioritiesexplains Gabriel Attal, who will himself participate in a first meeting, on April 25. We will listen to their proposals for a fair allocation of resources: the idea is to have more and better (in matter) of public services. »
What are my taxes used for?
To enlighten the French, a site has also been launched, “What are my taxes used for”, detailing concretely the expenditure in the service of citizens.
“We will thus be able to know the cost of a year of high school, a kilometer of road, a TER station, a blood test”, emphasizes the Minister, who assures that, within a month, everyone will be able to know precisely what is financed near their home.
For Gabriel Attal, “It’s about responding to the French who have the impression of paying for public services that have deteriorated and say they no longer get their money’s worth”.