MEPs LRM will not support the end of the universality of family allowances

A debate on universality of family allowances "will take place, but not in context of budgetary discussion", said President of Republic on March (LRM) of Social Affairs Committee of National Assembly, Brigitte Bourguignon, In an interview with Parisian published Friday, October 13th.

The Group of Deputies Republic on March decided on Thursday evening not to support end of universality of family allowances offered by one of its members on occasion of consideration of draft social security budget.

Ms. Bourguignon recalled that Social Affairs Committee had "decided at end of September to launch an information mission on prospects of family policy in its entirety". An idea shared by government: Agnès Buzyn, Minister of Health, "with Parliament and all actors" a reflection "on family policy in general, and on family allowances in service of this policy".

The prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, followed suit on Wednesday to conduct a "real good debate" on a possible questioning of "universality" of family allowances.

But right as left debate is already launched. Christian Jacob, chairman of Republican Group (LR) in Assembly, held that it was "really a serious fault to go after our family policy". Royal (Socialist Party – PS) also felt that it was necessary to "maintain universality of family policy", evoking "risk of hitting middle classes once again". On Friday, Laurent Berger, secretary general of French Democratic Labour Confederation (CFDT), recalled Union's "commitment" to principle of universality.

"It's not about saying universality or not"

"There will be no amendment in context of draft social security budget, but this is an important reflection," said Olivier Veran, rapporteur LRM of draft social security budget. In fact, debate is open (...) "There is a societal expectation," he said on RMC.

But member did not conceal his opinion in favour of eliminating family allowances for high incomes. "I have already said this, personally, that I agree that a couple who collect more than EUR 8 000 and who still has 32.40 euros of allowances per month do not receive m anymore," he explained. "But this is a very partial view" of "much more important" issue of family policy, he added.

"There has been some work that has been done in previous mandate in terms of family policy, we can still progress, we can always progress, and above all, to question (...)" I think re are roughly 20 family benefits that are paid, different. No one is re. (...) That's all it takes to be able to analyze, in a set. It is not a matter of saying universality or not. »

Olivier Veran had estimated at end of September that abolition of family allowances "for highest incomes would represent an economy of about 440 million euros per year".