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France eyes big drop in social security deficit
Reuters - 22/09/2011 15:57:21
PARIS, Sept 22 (Reuters) -
France's social security deficit should fall 24 percent in 2012 thanks to a clampdown on tax breaks, cutbacks on costly medicines and a boost to the workforce from a higher retirement age, a government report showed on Thursday.
A report to be presented to government officials by Budget Minister Valerie Pecresse sees the 2012 welfare deficit at 13.9 billion euros, down from 18.2 billion in 2011 and marking a drop of 40 percent from its 2010 peak of 23.9 billion.
Much of the reduction comes from a clampdown on tax breaks in areas that feed into the social security budget within a package of measures unveiled last month to save 12 billion euros over this year and next. (news)
The clampdown on tax exemptions on everything from fizzy drinks and alcohol to private health insurance contracts comes as France fights to stick to its deficit-cutting targets while facing a faltering economic recovery.
Pecresse told France 2 TV that her outlook put France two years ahead of schedule in trimming back its welfare deficit.
It will also be the first annual reduction in the social security deficit since 2006.
Pecresse and other government officials have insisted France will meet a goal to cut its deficit to 5.7 percent of gross domestic produce in 2011 and 4.5 percent in 2012 as it aims for a ceiling of 3 percent for 2013.




France's social security deficit should fall 24 percent in 2012 thanks to a clampdown on tax breaks, cutbacks on costly medicines and a boost to the workforce from a higher retirement age, a government report showed on Thursday.
A report to be presented to government officials by Budget Minister Valerie Pecresse sees the 2012 welfare deficit at 13.9 billion euros, down from 18.2 billion in 2011 and marking a drop of 40 percent from its 2010 peak of 23.9 billion.
Much of the reduction comes from a clampdown on tax breaks in areas that feed into the social security budget within a package of measures unveiled last month to save 12 billion euros over this year and next. (news)
The clampdown on tax exemptions on everything from fizzy drinks and alcohol to private health insurance contracts comes as France fights to stick to its deficit-cutting targets while facing a faltering economic recovery.
Pecresse told France 2 TV that her outlook put France two years ahead of schedule in trimming back its welfare deficit.
It will also be the first annual reduction in the social security deficit since 2006.
Pecresse and other government officials have insisted France will meet a goal to cut its deficit to 5.7 percent of gross domestic produce in 2011 and 4.5 percent in 2012 as it aims for a ceiling of 3 percent for 2013.