Fuel prices rising: a new aid package in May for the most affected sectors

The French government will strengthen its support in the face of soaring fuel prices by announcing the preparation of a new aid scheme planned for May, targeted at the most exposed sectors, including construction, transport, fishing and agriculture.

"This afternoon, I instructed the various members of the government to prepare a new aid package for (...) the month of May," the Prime Minister told the press.

In a context marked by the economic consequences of the war in the Middle East, the government intends to extend its sectoral support strategy. "We had said that our aid was renewable, always with the same philosophy: support for activity by sector," he added.

Faced with the sustained rise in energy costs, the government is considering going further for certain particularly vulnerable professions. "I would even like to see us go a little further for some professions because the situation is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain," he stated, as tensions over fuel prices have persisted for almost two months.

At the end of March, an initial emergency plan amounting to nearly 70 million euros was put in place, with targeted measures limited to the month of April. This plan could therefore be extended and adapted as early as May.

Among the sectors most in difficulty, the Prime Minister specifically mentioned "fishermen", some of whom "are starting to voice the fact that it is going to become complicated to go out again, despite the aid that we have already put on the table".

The construction and public works sector is also affected, particularly due to the use of non-road diesel (GNR), which has been significantly impacted by rising prices. The Prime Minister thus highlighted "a challenge for the construction and public works sector" and its vehicles powered by GNR, "on which I hope the ministers will be able to make proposals."

For his part, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot had already indicated on Friday morning that the current aid would soon be renewed, while specifying that the current system would come fully into effect next week.